Suta said: ‘Having said, “I will carry off the soma once it is set down,” the slayer of the danavas (Indra) followed him. And Suparna quickly arrived at his mother’s side and said to all the serpents, filled with the greatest joy: “Here — I have brought the amrita; I will place it for you on the kusha grass. Having bathed and performed what is auspicious, partake of it, O serpents. And from this day let my mother be free [from bondage]; the word you gave, as agreed, I have fulfilled.” Then the serpents, saying “so be it,” went off to bathe. But Shakra (Indra), seizing the amrita, sped away once more to heaven. Then the serpents, eager for the soma, having bathed, performed their japa and auspicious rites, joyful, returned to that place. Learning that [the soma] had been stolen and that [what had happened] had been contrived by illusion (maya), [and saying]: “This is the place of the soma” — they began to lick the darbha grass. From that act the tongues of the serpents became forked; and the darbha grass, from the touch of the amrita, became sacred. Thus Suparna, greatly rejoicing, having sported there in the forest with his mother — devourer of serpents, highly honored among birds, of unfading fame — gladdened [his mother] Vinata.’