Shloka 8

अर्जुनोक्तिः—कृष्णं प्रति पुरुषकार‑कर्म‑विचारः

Arjuna’s Address to Krishna: Agency, Action, and Immediate Counsel

Devanagari script

सुमन्त्रितं सुनीतं च न्यायतश्नोपपादितम्‌ । कृतं मानुष्यकं कर्म दैवेनापि विरुध्यते,अच्छी तरह विचारपूर्वक निश्चित किये हुए, उत्तम नीतिसे युक्त तथा न्यायपूर्वक सम्पादित किये हुए मानव-सम्बन्धी पुरुषार्थसाध्य कर्म भी कभी दैववश बाधित हो जाते हैं --उनकी सिद्धिमें विघ्न पड़ जाता है

Transliteration

sumantritaṃ sunītaṃ ca nyāyataś copapāditam | kṛtaṃ mānuṣyakaṃ karma daivenāpi virudhyate ||

Translation

Even a human undertaking—well deliberated, guided by sound policy, and carried out in accordance with justice—can still be thwarted by fate; its accomplishment may meet with obstacles.

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'sumantritam', 'definition': 'well-considered

• properly deliberated'}, {'term': 'sunītam', 'definition': 'well-governed by policy

• guided by good conduct and prudent strategy'}, {'term': 'nyāyataḥ', 'definition': 'according to justice

• in a lawful and fair manner'}, {'term': 'upapāditam', 'definition': 'properly established

• brought about with due reasoning/procedure'}, {'term': 'kṛtam', 'definition': 'done

• performed'}, {'term': 'mānuṣyakam karma', 'definition': 'a human act/enterprise

• effort within human agency (puruṣārtha)'}, {'term': 'daivena', 'definition': 'by fate

• by destiny'}, {'term': 'api', 'definition': 'even

• also'}, {'term': 'virudhyate', 'definition': 'is opposed

Speaker

भीमसेन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīmasena
• Daiva (fate/destiny)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even when an action is carefully planned, ethically guided, and justly executed, its success is not guaranteed; unforeseen destiny (daiva) can obstruct outcomes. The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s tension between puruṣārtha (human effort) and daiva (fate), urging humility about results while still valuing righteous deliberation and conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations and counsel, Bhīma speaks forcefully about the realities of action and consequence. Here he observes that even the best human plans and just initiatives can be blocked by fate—an argument that frames the uncertainty of diplomatic success and the looming inevitability of conflict.