Shloka 12
य एवं कृतबुद्धि: स कर्मस्वेव प्रवर्तते । नासिद्धौ व्यथते तस्य न सिद्धौ हर्षमश्लुते,जो अपनी बुद्धिमें ऐसा निश्चय करके कर्मामें ही प्रवृत्त होता है, वह फलकी सिद्धि न होनेपर दुःखी नहीं होता और फलकी प्राप्ति होनेपर भी हर्षका अनुभव नहीं करता
ya evaṁ kṛtabuddhiḥ sa karmasv eva pravartate | nāsiddhau vyathate tasya na siddhau harṣam aśnute ||
Bhīmasena said: One who has thus made up his mind and engages himself only in action is not distressed when success is not attained, nor does he exult when success is attained. His steadiness lies in doing what must be done, without being shaken by the rise and fall of results.
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches steadiness in duty: act with firm resolve, but do not let the mind be disturbed by failure or inflated by success. Ethical strength is shown by commitment to right action rather than emotional dependence on outcomes.
Bhīmasena is speaking in the Udyoga Parva during the tense lead-up to war, emphasizing a warrior’s and a righteous person’s discipline: focus on necessary action and maintain composure regardless of whether efforts immediately succeed or fail.