Shloka 18
Śama-prāptiḥ — Gautamī–Lubdhaka–Pannaga–Mṛtyu–Kāla-saṃvāda
Restraint through the Analysis of Karma and Time
कुन्तीनन्दन! पूर्वकालमें गौतमी नामवाली एक बूढ़ी ब्राह्मणी थी, जो शान्तिके साधनमें संलग्न रहती थी। एक दिन उसने देखा, उसके इकलौते बेटेको साँपने डेस लिया और उसकी चेतनाशक्ति लुप्त हो गयी ।।
kuntīnandana! pūrvakāle gautamī nāmavatī ekā vṛddhā brāhmaṇī āsīt, yā śāntisādhanena saṃlagnā tiṣṭhati sma. ekadā sā dadarśa—tasyā ekamātrasya putrasya sarpeṇa daṣṭatvāt tasya cetanāśaktiḥ luptā. atha taṃ snāyupāśena baddhvā sarpam amarṣitaḥ lubdhako 'rjuno nāma gautamyāḥ samupānayat.
Wika ni Bhishma: “O anak ni Kuntī, noong unang panahon ay may isang matandang babaeng Brahmana na nagngangalang Gautamī, na nakatuon sa mga pagsasanay ng kapayapaan at pagpipigil-sa-sarili. Isang araw, nakita niyang ang kaisa-isa niyang anak ay tinuklaw ng ahas at nawalan ng malay. Pagkaraan, isang mangangaso na ang pangalan ay Arjuna, sa tindi ng galit, ay iginapos ang ahas sa isang silo na yari sa litid at dinala ito sa harap ni Gautamī.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up a moral dilemma: when harm occurs, anger seeks immediate retaliation, but dharma asks for restraint, discernment, and a response guided by peace and ethical reflection rather than vengeance.
Gautami’s only son is rendered unconscious after a snakebite. A hunter named Arjuna, driven by indignation, captures the snake with a sinew-noose and brings it to Gautami—preparing the ground for a discussion on how one should respond to injury and loss.