[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c4.850 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.850 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c4.850 - **Language:** English ### [c4.850](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.850) Once, the son of an old Brahmin woman Gautamī, died on account of snake-bite. A hunter caught and brought before Gautamī the snake. His object was to kill it immediately. But the serpent proved its innocence by pleading that it bit the boy impelled and prompted by Death. At once death (mṛtyu) appeared on the scene and explained that it was prompted by the God of Death. And, it was the child who was responsible for the cause of death, and Gautamī was the cause for the birth of the child. Ultimately Gautamī herself assumed responsibility for the sin. Bhīṣma consoled Dharmaputra by telling that as in the case of Gautamī in the story, the cause for every effect was the chain of Karma. (M.B., Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 1). - [Previous: c4.849](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.849) - [Next: c4.851](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.851) - [Up: c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4) ## Cites (1) - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.850](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.850) · Pramāṇa