Snakes, as has been already said, are worshipped by Hindus, and the Cobra is a special object of worship, as being intimately connected with many of their idols and deities, especially by the worshippers of the Lingam, the form under which Siva is worshipped, the most bigoted perhaps of all Hindu sects.
When the child of a Hindu is suffering from a disease called Sokrâh, or Sūkh-Chari (atrophy), or wasting away, it is usual to have it washed under a Cobra, and the water thus falling over the snake on to the child is believed to have healing properties.
The well-known “Bezoar” stone (from the Persian words “zahr,” poison, and “pād” against, a concretion found in the stomachs of goats or antelopes), for the cure of snake poison, and is called in the district “Zahr Muhra”; and again to cure dogs of distemper it is a common practice to wash them with the cast skins of snakes, called Khainchillee. It may be added here that snakes, it is said, can be killed with snuff thrown into their eyes and mouth.
Some have doubted whether it could be possible for snakes to be charmed, especially as many naturalists have asserted that the greater part of them are deaf. The Authors can, however, certify to the fact that hooded snakes can be brought under the spell of a shrill musical pipe even when in concealment. The pipe the Indian snake-charmers use is called a “Tunbi;” or by some a “Banshī” or flute is used.
However, to continue this subject might as we have before said, lead us into Ophiolatry, which is outside the scope of these Explanatory Notes; but we may say this, that the change of skin by the Serpent has no doubt been easily associated by some minds, with the springing up of a fresh life, or an endless existence; and so has been one of the means towards the worship of this Reptile.
THE PRIEST, THE WASHERMAN, AND THE ASS.
There lived, many years ago, in the city of Azimgurh, in the north-west of India, a Moslem Priest, or “Moola,” who, as is usual with that class, added to his income by teaching the Mahomedan youths of the place.
By chance an old Washerman, or “Dhobī,” and his wife while travelling homewards came to the city, and put up under a tree adjoining the Mosque where the Priest lived, and tied their ass to the tree. The old couple were rich, but were unfortunately childless.
Some time during the day of their arrival, they caught a glimpse of a man who was gesticulating before the Priest in a tone of violent complaint, and they could not help hearing all that he said: “You are the Priest,” he called out, “and I have paid you all the fees you asked, but you have taught my son nothing at all, and every day he is either idling or playing about in the dusty roads with other worthless urchins.” Upon this the Priest became greatly enraged, and retorted, “Not taught him anything! It is false; he has been educated like the rest.”