The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 13.1.51

13.1.51

sarpa uvāca |
nirdoṣaṃ doṣavantaṃ vā na tvā mṛtyo bravīmyaham |
tvayāhaṃ codita iti bravīmyetāvadeva tu || 51 ||

"The serpent said, 'I do not, O Mrityu, blame thee, nor do I absolve thee from all blame. I only aver that I am directed and influenced (in my actions) by thee. If any blame attaches to Kala, or, if it be not desirable to attach any blame to him, it is not for me to scan the fault. We have no right to do so. As it is incumbent on me to absolve myself from this blame, so it is my duty to see that no blame attaches to Mrityu.'