The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 13.1.24

13.1.24

gautamyuvāca |
nāsminhate pannage putrako me saṃprāpsyate lubdhaka jīvitaṃ vai |
guṇaṃ cānyaṃ nāsya vadhe prapaśye tasmātsarpaṃ lubdhaka muñca jīvam || 24 ||

"Gautami replied, 'By killing this serpent, O fowler, my son will not be restored to life, nor do I see that any other end will be attained by its death: therefore, do thou, O fowler, release this living creature of a serpent.