The hawk is the first of all birds. Of sacrifices the first is the pouring of clarified butter on the fire. Of all reptiles the first, O foremost of twice-born ones, is the snake.
श्येनः पतत्रिणामादिर्यज्ञानां हुतमुत्तमम्। सरीसृपाणां सर्वेषां ज्येष्ठः सर्पो द्विजोत्तमाः॥