Shloka 17
Dharma-śaṅkā-nivāraṇa: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Response on Karma-Phala and Trust in Dharma
यच्चापि किंचित् पुरुषो दिष्टं नाम भजत्युत । दैवेन विधिना पार्थ तद् दैवमिति निश्चितम्,कुन्तीनन्दन! मनुष्य जो कुछ भी देवाराधनकी विधिसे अपने भाग्यके अनुसार पाता है, उसे निश्चितरूपसे दैव (प्रारब्ध) कहा गया है
yaccāpi kiñcit puruṣo diṣṭaṃ nāma bhajaty uta | daivena vidhinā pārtha tad daivam iti niścitam ||
Dijo Yudhiṣṭhira: «Todo cuanto una persona llega a poseer como la parte que le ha sido asignada—obtenida conforme al decreto divino, oh Pārtha—se determina con certeza como “daiva”, la fuerza del destino (la porción que le fue repartida)».
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines ‘daiva’ (destiny) as whatever outcome or possession a person receives as his allotted share under the divine order—emphasizing that certain results are understood as fixed by providential allotment.
In a reflective discussion on causality and responsibility, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Pārtha (Arjuna) and clarifies what should be called ‘daiva’: the portion of experience and gain that comes to a person as an appointed lot, governed by a higher ordinance.