Shloka 4

वालिनः और्ध्वदैहिकम्

Vali’s Funeral Rites and the Consolation of the Bereaved

Devanagari script

नियतिः कारणं लोके नियतिः कर्मसाधनम्।नियतिस्सर्वभूतानां नियोगेष्विह कारणम्4.25.4।।

Transliteration

niyatiḥ kāraṇaṃ loke niyatiḥ karmasādhanam | niyatiḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ niyogeṣv iha kāraṇam || 4.25.4 ||

Translation

In der Welt ist das Schicksal die Ursache; das Schicksal bringt Handlungen zur Vollendung. Für alle Wesen hier ist das Schicksal der Grund für ihre bestimmten Lebensumstände.

Word by Word

• niyatiḥ: fate/necessity
• niyatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niyati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Feminine, Nominative, Singular)

• kāraṇam: cause
• kāraṇam: Kriyā (विधेय/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular); विधेय (predicate noun)

• loke: in the world
• loke: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Locative, Singular)

• niyatiḥ: fate
• niyatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niyati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• karmasādhanam: means of accomplishing actions
• karmasādhanam: Kriyā (विधेय/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karma-sādhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (karma + sādhana)

• niyatiḥ: fate
• niyatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niyati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• sarvabhūtānām: of all beings
• sarvabhūtānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva-bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Neuter, Genitive, Plural); कर्मधारय-समासः (sarva + bhūta)

• niyogeṣu: in appointments/duties
• niyogeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niyoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Masculine, Locative, Plural)

• iha: here
• iha: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• kāraṇam: cause
• kāraṇam: Kriyā (विधेय/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय

Context

'Fate is the cause of the world. Fate is the means of accomplishment. Fate assigns duties to all beings.

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse teaches acceptance of satya (reality) and humility: outcomes unfold through forces beyond personal control, so one should act righteously without arrogance over results.

What is the narrative situation?

Amid the aftermath of Vāli’s death, the text introduces a reflection that frames the tragedy through niyati (destiny).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Forbearance and philosophical clarity (kṣamā and viveka) in the face of irreversible loss.