Shloka 17
Śama-prāptiḥ — Gautamī–Lubdhaka–Pannaga–Mṛtyu–Kāla-saṃvāda
Restraint through the Analysis of Karma and Time
गौतमी नाम कौन्तेय स्थविरा शमसंयुता । सर्पेण दष्ट॑ स्वं पुत्रमपश्यद्गतचेतनम्
Gautamī nāma Kaunteya sthavirā śama-saṁyutā | sarpeṇa daṣṭaṁ svaṁ putram apaśyad gata-cetanam ||
भीष्मजी बोले—कौन्तेय! गौतमी नाम की एक वृद्धा स्त्री थी, जो शम और संयम से युक्त थी। उसने अपने पुत्र को सर्प-दंश से पीड़ित, चेतनाशून्य पड़ा देखा।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up an ethical exemplum: even amid sudden tragedy (a child struck down), the ideal response is grounded in śama—inner calm and self-restraint—preparing the listener for a dharma-oriented reflection on grief, responsibility, and right conduct.
Bhīṣma begins recounting an episode to Kaunteya: an elderly, self-controlled woman named Gautamī comes upon her son, who has been bitten by a snake and has lost consciousness.