In some places, the exorcist ties up the patient when the snake tells the cause of the bite. Next the exorcist calls on the snake to leave the body of the patient, who then begins to crawl about like a snake and is cured.
On some occasions, the exorcist slaps the cheek of the person who calls him to attend the patient. It is said that the poison disappears as soon as the slap is given.[76]
Some exorcists take a stick having seven joints and break them one by one. As the stick is broken, the patient recovers, his recovery being complete when the seventh joint is broken.[77]
It is believed that the Dhedas are the oldest worshippers of Nāgs or snakes. When a person is bitten by a snake, he is seated near a Dheda, who prays the snake to leave the body of the patient. It is said that in some cases this method proves efficacious in curing the patient.[78]
It is stated that exorcists who know the mantra (incantation) for the cure of snake-bites must lead a strictly moral life. If they touch a woman in child-bed or during her period the mantra loses its power. This can be regained through purification, bathing, and by reciting the mantra while inhaling the smoke of burning frankincense. Some exorcists abstain from certain kinds of vegetables and sweets, e. g., the Mogri (Rat-tailed radish), Julebi (a kind of sweet), etc. They have also to abstain from articles of a colour like that of a snake.[79]
A belief prevails that there is a precious stone in the head of the snake. Such stones are called mohors. They are occasionally shown to the people by snake-charmers, who declare that it is very difficult to procure them.
It is stated that on dark nights snakes take these mohors out of their head and place them on prominent spots in order to be able to move about in the dark by their light.[80]
It is believed that snakes give these mohors to those who please them. If one tries to take a mohor by force, the snake swallows it and dissolves it into water.[81]
As stated above, the mohor has the property of absorbing the poison from snake-bites.
It is because a snake is believed to hold a precious stone in its head that it is called manidhar, that is, holder of a jewel.[82]