[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915) › c8.t4 # The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c8.t4: Snakes in the Purâṇas The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c8.t4 - **Language:** English ### Snakes in the Purâṇas ### [c8.t4.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.t4.1) The \*Bhaviṣya Purâṇa\* gives the following additional information. The \*Nâgas\* (Naiæ) copulate in the month of \*Jyaistha\* or \*Âṣâḍha\* (May or June), gestate during the rainy months that follow, and bring forth about two hundred and forty eggs in the month of \*Kârtika\* (November). Most of these are devoured by the parents, but those that are left break forth from the shell in about two months (or one month, according to the \*Agni Purâṇa\*). ### [c8.t4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.t4.2) Eggs of a golden hue like that of the (red) flowers of the \*Calotropis gigantea\* (सुवर्णार्कवर्णानिभ) produce male young ones, those somewhat paler and of an elongated ovoid shape (अर्कोदकसुवर्णभात् दीर्घराजीवसन्निभात्) bring forth female snakes, and those of the hue of the \*Siriṣa\*-blossom hermaphrodite ones. By the seventh day the young snakes turn dark; in a fortnight (or twenty days, according to another account) the teeth come out. The poison is formed in the fangs (दंष्ट्रासु) in three weeks, and becomes deadly in the twenty-fifth night. In six months \*Nâgas\* shed the skin (कञ्चुक). ### [c8.t4.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.t4.3) In moving on the ground, the folds of the skin on the under surface alternately expand and contract, appearing to put out and draw in fine filament-like legs, about two hundred and forty in number. The joints on the skin (scales or scutes—सन्धयः) are two hundred and forty in number (perhaps the sub-caudals were not counted). ### [c8.t4.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.t4.4) Snakes are killed by men, mongooses, peacocks, \*Chakoras\* (a kind of partridge), scorpions, boars, cats, and the hoofs of oxen. Escaping death from these enemies, a \*Nâga\* may live for a hundred and twenty years. The term of life of the non-venomous snake is shorter, about seventy-five years (\*Bhaviṣya Purâṇa\*, \*\*पञ्चमकल्प\*\*). ### [c8.t4.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.t4.5) The \*Agni Purâṇa\* gives the total number of teeth (of a \*Nâga\*) as thirty-two, of which four (two on either side) are venomous, viz. \*Kâlarâtri\* and \*Yamadutikâ\*, which appear to be the names of the fangs, and \*Karâlî\* and \*Makarî\*, which seem to stand for two hard (maxillary) teeth accompanying the two fangs (\*cf.\* also Charaka—\*Driḍhavala\*, \*Chikitsâsthâna\*, XXIII., \*\*विषचिकित्सितम्\*\*). ## Cites (3) - [Bhaviṣyapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.bhavisya) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Agnipurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.agni) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Suśrutasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.samhita.susruta-school.susruta) — Suśruta & Nāgārjuna (siddha/alchemist), Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.t4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.t4) · Pramāṇa