Shloka 8
अध्याय २८६ — पराशर-उपदेशः
Ethical Restraint, Mortality, and Karma
विहितेनैव जीवन्ति अरोगाड़ा दिवौकस: । बलवन्तोडबलाश्वैव तस्मादस्मान् सभाजय
vihitenaiva jīvanti arogā divaukasaḥ | balavanto ’balāś caiva tasmād asmān sabhājaya ||
قال سامَدا: «إن الآلهة، وإن كانت بريئةً من المرض، لا تعيش إلا وفق ما قُدِّر وأُمر به؛ فالقوي والضعيف سواءٌ في حفظ الحياة تحت التدبير نفسه. فكرِّمونا نحن أيضًا: فنحن نعتمد على القضاء والقدر ولا نبتدئ الأفعال من تلقاء أنفسنا—فلا تحتقرونا كأننا مجرد عاطلين.»
समड़ उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even exalted beings (the gods), whether strong or weak, live under what is ordained (vihita). Hence one should not despise others as inactive; respect is due because all are constrained by destiny/dispensation and the limits of agency.
Samada responds to an implied criticism or disregard, arguing that their non-initiation of action is not mere laziness but reliance on what is ordained; he asks the listener to treat them with honor rather than contempt.