[67] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now on that occasion a certain bhikkhu in Sāvatthī, having been bitten by a snake, had died. Then a number of bhikkhus approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, they sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, those bhikkhus said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, here in Sāvatthī a certain bhikkhu, having been bitten by a snake, has died."
"Surely, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu did not pervade the four royal families of snakes with a mind (citta) of loving-kindness (mettā). For if, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu had pervaded the four royal families of snakes with a mind of loving-kindness, then, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu, having been bitten by a snake, would not have died. Which four? The Virūpakkha royal family of snakes, the Erāpatha royal family of snakes, the Chabyāputta royal family of snakes, and the Kaṇhāgotamaka royal family of snakes. Surely, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu did not pervade these four royal families of snakes with a mind of loving-kindness. For if, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu had pervaded these four royal families of snakes with a mind of loving-kindness, then, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu, having been bitten by a snake, would not have died. Bhikkhus, I allow you to pervade these four royal families of snakes with a mind of loving-kindness, for the guarding of oneself, for the protection of oneself, for the safeguarding (paritta) of oneself.
May I have loving-kindness for the Virūpakkhas;
loving-kindness for the Erāpathas;
May I have loving-kindness for the Chabyāputtas;
and loving-kindness for the Kaṇhāgotamakas.
May I have loving-kindness for the footless;
loving-kindness for the two-footed;
May I have loving-kindness for the four-footed;
loving-kindness for the many-footed.
May the footless do me no harm;
may the two-footed do me no harm;
May the four-footed do me no harm;
may the many-footed do me no harm.
May all sentient beings, all breathing things,
and all creatures, every one,
May all behold good fortune;
may no evil whatsoever come to any.
The Buddha is measureless, the Dhamma is measureless, the Saṅgha is measureless; measurable are creeping things—snakes, scorpions, centipedes, spiders, lizards, and mice. Protection has been made by me; a safeguard has been made by me. Let the creatures withdraw. I pay homage to the Blessed One; homage to the seven Fully Self-Enlightened Ones."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.