Shloka 47
Śānti-parva 168: Śoka-nivṛtti-buddhi (The Cognition that Reduces Grief) and Piṅgalā’s Nairāśya
एतत् प्रधानं च न कामकारो यथा नियुक्तोडस्मि तथा करोमि । भूतानि सर्वाणि विधिरन्नियुद्धक्ते विधिर्बलीयानिति वित्त सर्वे
etat pradhānaṃ ca na kāmakāro yathā niyukto ’smi tathā karomi | bhūtāni sarvāṇi vidhir niyuṅkte vidhir balīyān iti vitta sarve ||
ऐसा विचार ही मोक्ष का प्रधान उपाय है, स्वेच्छाचार नहीं। विधाता ने मुझे जिस कर्म में नियुक्त किया है, मैं वही करता हूँ। विधि ही समस्त प्राणियों को उनके-उनके कार्यों में लगाती है; इसलिए तुम सब जान लो कि विधि (दैव) ही अधिक बलवान है।
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that liberation-oriented living rests on thoughtful discernment and dutiful action, not on impulsive self-will; all beings are directed by vidhi (ordinance), which is portrayed as more powerful than personal preference.
In the Śānti Parva’s reflective discourse, Yudhiṣṭhira explains his stance on action: he performs the role assigned to him, emphasizing that a higher ordinance directs creatures into their respective duties, and urging listeners to recognize the strength of that ordinance.