Shloka 38
The Killing of Ariṣṭāsura and Kaṁsa’s Plot to Summon Kṛṣṇa
श्रीअक्रूर उवाच राजन् मनीषितं सध्र्यक् तव स्वावद्यमार्जनम् । सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्यो: समं कुर्याद्दैवं हि फलसाधनम् ॥ ३८ ॥
śrī-akrūra uvāca rājan manīṣitaṁ sadhryak tava svāvadya-mārjanam siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samaṁ kuryād daivaṁ hi phala-sādhanam
Śrī Akrūra said: O King, you have skillfully devised a means to cleanse away your misfortune. Still, one should remain equal in success and failure, for it is surely destiny that brings forth the fruits of action.
FAQs
This verse teaches samatva—remaining even-minded in both success and failure—because outcomes are delivered through daiva (providence), so one should act rightly without being shaken by results.
Akrura reassures the king that his thoughtful decision is wise and purifying, and he instructs him to maintain steadiness regardless of outcome, recognizing that results come through destiny.
Do your duty with integrity, accept outcomes without excessive elation or despair, and focus on steady effort and inner purification rather than obsessing over results.