Shloka 40
Sudeva Identifies Damayantī in Cedi (सुदेवेन दमयन्ती-परिचयः)
न हादैवकृतं किंचिन्नराणामिह विद्यते | न च मे बालभावे5पि किंचित् पापकृतं कृतम्
na hā daivakṛtaṃ kiñcin narāṇām iha vidyate | na ca me bālabhāve 'pi kiñcit pāpakṛtaṃ kṛtam ||
बृहदश्व बोले—मनुष्यों के लोक में कोई भी बात केवल दैव के ही वश से नहीं होती। और मेरी बात यह है कि बाल्यावस्था में भी मैंने कोई पाप-कर्म कदापि नहीं किया।
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse rejects the idea that human actions are entirely determined by fate (daiva). It emphasizes moral agency and accountability: people are responsible for their deeds, and one should not excuse wrongdoing by blaming destiny.
Bṛhadaśva speaks in a reflective, instructive tone, asserting that events are not merely fate-driven and presenting his own blameless conduct—even from childhood—as an example of ethical self-discipline and responsibility.