Shloka 21
Umā–Maheśvara-saṃvāda: Varṇa-bhraṃśa, Ācāra (Vṛtta), and Karmic Ascent/Decline
देवतास्तस्य तुष्यन्ति कामिकं चापि सिध्यति । अन्यथा हि वृथा मर्त्याः कुर्वते स्वल्पबुद्धयः
devatās tasya tuṣyanti kāmikaṃ cāpi sidhyati | anyathā hi vṛthā martyāḥ kurvate svalpabuddhayaḥ ||
For one who acts in this proper way, the gods are pleased, and even his rightful desires come to fulfillment. But those of little understanding, failing to do so, squander their human life by running after other, futile undertakings.
बलदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Rightly performed dharmic conduct brings divine favor and the fulfillment of worthy aims; neglecting it, the short-sighted waste effort on actions that do not yield lasting fruit.
Baladeva is instructing his listener by contrasting two paths: the disciplined, proper course that pleases the gods and succeeds, and the misguided course of the dull-minded who ignore it and toil in vain.