Shloka 27
घटोत्कच-कर्णयुद्धम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Karna Combat and the Release of Śakti
यत् कर्तव्यं मनुष्पेण व्यवसायवता सदा । तत् कार्यमविशड्केन सिद्धिर्देवे प्रतेष्ठिता,मनुष्यको सदा उद्योगशील होकर निःशंकभावसे अपने कर्तव्यका पालन करना चाहिये; परंतु उसकी सिद्धि दैवके ही अधीन है
yat kartavyaṁ manuṣyeṇa vyavasāyavatā sadā | tat kāryam aviśaṅkena siddhir deve pratiṣṭhitā ||
Karna said: “A person who is steadfast in resolve should always do what must be done; he should perform his duty without hesitation. Yet the final attainment of success rests with the divine—human effort is obligatory, but its fruition is not fully in human hands.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
One must perform one’s duty with steady resolve and without hesitation; however, the outcome (success or failure) ultimately depends on the divine order—so act rightly, but do not claim full control over results.
In the midst of the Drona Parva’s battle context, Karna articulates a warrior’s ethic: unwavering execution of one’s assigned duty, coupled with acceptance that victory or accomplishment is not solely determined by personal effort.