If you interpret it all as metaphor, what could it mean?
What might a rod/staff represent? Perhaps authority? It usually does.

It would make sense for the ruler to gather together all these leaders and order them to throw down their personal authority in subjugation to him, or...

Perhaps it is describing them all throwing their 'hats in to the ring' and scrapping it out, spitting and hissing their thoughts and ideas to each other like serpents, only for one of them to come out on top?

There can be only one authority?

Essentially a case of "ok tards, lets hash this shit out - who's ideas can cause the others to get rekt".

Just some thoughts.

Edit: Actually it fits quite well if we assume that the rod/staff is a physical representation of each sect, cult, belief system, school of thought. As rod and ring, crown, etc. are representations of the monarchy as a whole.
You could say something similar regarding throwing down crowns and them becoming as beasts, during a meeting of rulers of kingdoms. *shrug*