Shloka 21
Śārṅgaka-stuti to Agni during the Khāṇḍava Conflagration (शार्ङ्गक-स्तुतिः / अग्नि-स्तुतिः)
पौरुषेण तु यत् कार्य तत् कर्तारौ स्व पावक । करणानि समर्थानि भगवन् दातुमहसि,भगवन् अग्निदेव! पुरुषार्थसे जो कार्य हो सकता है, उसे हमलोग करनेके लिये तैयार हैं; किंतु इसके लिये सुदृढ़ साधन जुटा देनेकी कृपा आपको करनी चाहिये
Arjuna uvāca — pauruṣeṇa tu yat kāryaṃ tat kartārau sva-pāvaka | karaṇāni samarthāni bhagavan dātum arhasi, bhagavan agnideva ||
Arjuna said: “O Agni, our purifier, whatever can be accomplished through human effort—we two are ready to do it. Yet, O Blessed Lord, O Fire-god, grant us the capable means and equipment required for that undertaking.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse balances puruṣārtha (human initiative) with the need for proper upāya/means: one should be ready to act with courage and responsibility, while also recognizing that success often requires enabling conditions and support beyond oneself—here sought respectfully from a divine power.
Arjuna addresses Agni directly, affirming that he and his companion are prepared to carry out whatever is achievable through their own valor, but he requests that Agni provide the effective instruments/resources necessary to accomplish the task.