Shloka 41
Dharma-śaṅkā-nivāraṇa: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Response on Karma-Phala and Trust in Dharma
असम्भवे त्वस्य हेतु: प्रायश्ित्तं तु लक्षयेत् | कृते कर्मणि राजेन्द्र तथानृण्यमवाप्नुते,यदि कर्म करनेपर भी फलकी उत्पत्ति न हो तो कोई-न-कोई कारण है; ऐसा मानकर प्रायश्चित्त (उसके दोषके समाधान)-पर दृष्टि डाले। राजेन्द्र! कर्मको सांगोपांग कर लेनेपर कर्ता उऋण (निर्दोष) हो जाता है
asambhave tv asya hetuḥ prāyaścittaṃ tu lakṣayet | kṛte karmaṇi rājendra tathānṛṇyam avāpnute ||
If, despite performing an act, its expected result does not arise, one should assume that there is some obstructing cause and then turn one’s attention to expiation—removing the fault. O best of kings, when an action has been carried out in full accordance with its requirements, the doer becomes free from liability (blameless), even if the visible fruit is delayed or absent.
युधिछिर उवाच