Shloka 52
Dharma-śaṅkā-nivāraṇa: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Response on Karma-Phala and Trust in Dharma
गुणाभावे फल न्यूनं भवत्यफलमेव च । अनारम्भे हि न फलं न गुणो दृश्यते क्वचित्,कर्मोमें किसी अंगकी कमी रह जानेपर थोड़ा फल हो सकता है। यह भी सम्भव है कि फल हो ही नहीं। परंतु कर्मका आरम्भ ही न किया जाय तब तो न कहीं फल दिखायी देगा और न कर्ताका कोई गुण (शौर्य आदि) ही दृष्टिगोचर होगा
guṇābhāve phala-nyūnaṁ bhavaty aphalam eva ca | anārambhe hi na phalaṁ na guṇo dṛśyate kvacit ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “When an undertaking lacks the requisite qualities or components, its result may be diminished—or it may yield no result at all. But if one does not even begin the action, then nowhere is any fruit seen, nor does any excellence of the doer—such as valor—become manifest.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Results depend on both proper execution and the decision to act: imperfect action may yield reduced or even no results, but refusing to begin guarantees no result and prevents one’s virtues (like courage) from ever becoming evident.
Yudhiṣṭhira articulates a principle of practical dharma: initiative is indispensable. He contrasts flawed performance (which may still produce something) with total inaction (which produces nothing and reveals no personal excellence).