Gautami replied What good is there in torturing and destroying an enemy, and what good is acquired by not setting free an enemy in our power? Therefore. O you of kind face, why should we not forgive this serpent and try to acquire merit by setting it free.
गौतम्युवाच का नु प्राप्तिर्गृह्य शत्रु निहत्य का कामाप्तिः प्राप्य शत्रु न मुक्त्वा। कस्मात् सौम्याहं न क्षमे नो भुजङ्गे मोक्षार्थं वा कस्य हेतोर्न कुर्याम्॥