Shloka 3
कृतयत्नाफलाश्रैव दृश्यन्ते शतशो नरा: । अयत्नेनैधमानाश्र दृश्यन्ते बहवो जना:
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | kṛtayatnāphalāś caiva dṛśyante śataśo narāḥ | ayatnenaiva dhanaṃ yeṣāṃ dṛśyante bahavo janāḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Hundreds of men are seen whose efforts bear no fruit—who, despite striving, do not attain the results they seek. And many others are also seen whose wealth increases day by day even without exertion.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical-philosophical tension central to dharma discourse: outcomes in the world do not always correspond to visible effort. Some strive yet fail, while others prosper without striving—prompting reflection on karma, destiny (daiva), and the limits of human control.
Yudhiṣṭhira is voicing an observation about social reality—unequal results of effort and the seemingly effortless rise of wealth for some—typically as a prelude to questioning a teacher/elder about the principles governing justice, karma, and right conduct.