Shloka 31

Daiva–Puruṣakāra Saṃvāda

Kṛpa’s Counsel on Destiny and Human Effort

Devanagari script

ततोअस्य मूल कार्याणां बुद्धया निश्चित्य वै बुध:

Transliteration

tato 'sya mūla-kāryāṇāṃ buddhyā niścitya vai budhaḥ

Translation

Then the wise man, having reflected with clear discernment, firmly determined the fundamental course of action to be undertaken in this matter.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• अस्य: of him/this (person)
• अस्य: Sampradana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: इदम्
• Form: masculine/neuter, genitive, singular

• मूलकार्याणाम्: of the fundamental tasks/operations
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूलकार्य
• Form: neuter, genitive, plural

• बुद्ध्या: by (his) intellect
• बुद्ध्या: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि
• Form: feminine, instrumental, singular

• निश्चित्य: having ascertained/decided
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-√चि
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), active

• वै: indeed, surely
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै

• बुधः: the wise man
• बुधः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

Speaker

कृप उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Kṛpa (speaker)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights prudent ethical deliberation: before acting—especially in a fraught wartime context—one should use buddhi (discernment) to identify the mūla-kārya, the essential duty or decisive action, and then resolve firmly rather than act impulsively.

What is happening in the narrative?

Kṛpa is describing a moment of counsel and resolve: after considering the situation, the wise person determines the fundamental plan of action. In the Sauptika Parva setting, such lines typically frame strategic and morally charged decisions taken in the aftermath of the great battle.