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 ||
بھیشم نے کہا—اے کونتی کے بیٹے! گوتَمی نام کی ایک بوڑھی عورت تھی، جو سکونِ نفس اور ضبطِ نفس سے آراستہ تھی۔ اس نے اپنے بیٹے کو سانپ کے ڈسنے سے بے ہوش پڑا دیکھا۔
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.