Shloka 3
दैव–पुरुषकार-प्रश्नः
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Inquiry: Fate and Human Effort
दैवमानुषयो: किंस्वित् कर्मणो: श्रेष्ठमित्युत । पुरा वसिष्ठो भगवान् पितामहमपृच्छत,प्राचीन कालकी बात है, भगवान् वसिष्ठने लोकपितामह ब्रह्माजीसे पूछा--'प्रभो! दैव और पुरुषार्थमें कौन श्रेष्ठ है?
daivamānuṣayoḥ kiṃ svit karmaṇoḥ śreṣṭham ity uta | purā vasiṣṭho bhagavān pitāmaham apṛcchat ||
ভীষ্ম বললেন—দৈব ও মানব-প্রচেষ্টা—এই দুই কর্মের মধ্যে কোনটি শ্রেষ্ঠ? প্রাচীন কালে ভগবান বসিষ্ঠ এই প্রশ্নই লোকপিতামহ ব্রহ্মাকে করেছিলেন।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic dharma-question: whether divine destiny (daiva) or human initiative (mānuṣa/puruṣārtha) is the higher determinant of outcomes. It introduces an authoritative inquiry to Brahmā, preparing for a reasoned resolution grounded in ethical responsibility and cosmic order.
Bhīṣma begins recounting an ancient precedent: the sage Vasiṣṭha once asked Brahmā (Pitāmaha) to decide which is superior—destiny or human effort. This sets up a didactic dialogue meant to guide conduct and judgment.