Shloka 61
पापात्म-धर्मात्म-लक्षणम् तथा निर्वेदेन मोक्षमार्गः | Marks of the Sinful and the Righteous; Dispassion (Nirveda) as a Path to Liberation
गौतमस्तं ततो दृष्टवा शिरसा पतितं भुवि । पत्नीं चैव निराकारां परामभ्यागमन्मुदम्
Gautamas taṃ tato dṛṣṭvā śirasā patitaṃ bhuvi | patnīṃ caiva nirākārāṃ parām abhyāgaman mudam ||
Bhishma said: “Then Gautama, seeing him fallen to the ground with his head bowed, and seeing his wife standing motionless out of shame, was filled with great joy and approached them—glad at the return of humility, restraint, and moral order within the household.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of humility and remorse: when wrongdoing is met with sincere submission and shame, a wise elder (Gautama) rejoices because dharma is being restored through self-correction rather than force.
Gautama arrives and sees a man lying prostrate on the ground in submission, while the wife stands still, overwhelmed by shame. Interpreting these as signs of repentance and moral awakening, Gautama feels pleased and approaches them.