“The serpent said, ’Whether any cause exists or not,[1] no effect is produced without an (intermediate) act.  Therefore, causation being of no moment in either case, my agency only as the cause (in this matter) ought to be considered in its proper bearings.  If, O fowler, thou thinkest me to be the cause in truth, then the guilt of this act of killing a living being rests on the shoulders of another who incited me to this end.’[2]

“The fowler said, ’Not deserving of life, O foolish one, why dost thou bandy so many words, O wretch of a serpent?  Thou deservest death at my hands.  Thou hast done an atrocious act by killing this infant.’

“The serpent said, ’O fowler, as the officiating priests at a sacrifice do not acquire the merit of the act by offering oblations of clarified butter to the fire, even so should I be regarded with respect as to the result in this connection.’

“Bhishma continued, ’The serpent directed by Mrityu having said this, Mrityu himself appeared there and addressing the serpent spoke thus.

“Mrityu said, ’Guided. by Kala, I, O serpent, sent thee on this errand, and neither art thou nor am I the cause of this child’s death.  Even as the clouds are tossed hither and thither by the wind, I am like the clouds, O serpent, influenced by Kala.  All attitudes appertaining to Sattwa or Rajas, or Tamas, are provoked by Kala, and operate in all creatures.  All creatures, mobile and immobile, in heaven, or earth, are influenced by Kala.  The whole universe, O serpent, is imbued with this same influence of Kala.  All acts in this world and all abstentions, as also all their modifications, are said to be influenced by Kala, Surya, Soma, Vishnu, Water, Wind, the deity of a hundred sacrificer, Fire, Sky, Earth, Mitra and Parjanya, Aditi, and the Vasus, Rivers and Oceans, all existent and non-existent objects, are created and destroyed by Kala.  Knowing this, why dost thou, O serpent, consider me to be guilty?  If any fault attaches to me in this, thou also wouldst be to blame.’

“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.’

“Bhishma continued, ’Then the serpent, addressing Arjunaka, said—­Thou hast listened to what Mrityu has said.  Therefore, it is not proper for thee to torment me, who am guiltless, by tying me with this cord.’

“The fowler said, ’I have listened to thee, O serpent, as well as to the words of Mrityu, but these, O serpent, do not absolve thee from all blame.  Mrityu and thyself are the causes of the child’s death.  I consider both of you to be the cause and I do not call that to be the cause which is not truly so.  Accursed be the wicked and vengeful Mrityu that causes affliction to the good.  Thee too I shall kill that art sinful and engaged, in sinful acts!’