The native Indians have a curious legend respecting the origin of this mark, and their reverence for the reptile. One day when Buddha was lying asleep in the sun, a Cobra came and raised its body between him and the burning beams, spreading its hood so as to shade his face. The grateful deity promised to repay the favour, but forgot to do so. In those days the Brahminny kite used to prey largely on the Cobras, and worked such devastation among them, that the individual who had done Buddha the forgotten service ventured to remind him of his promise, and to beg relief from the attacks of the kite. Buddha immediately granted the request by placing the spectacles on the Snake’s hood, thereby frightening the kite so much that it has never since ventured to attack a Cobra.