Shloka 8
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Saṃvāda
Kṛpa’s Counsel on Destiny and Human Effort
तयोर्देवं विनिश्ित्य स्वयं चैव प्रवर्तते | प्राज्ञा: पुरुषकारेषु वर्तन्ते दाक्ष्यमाश्रिता:,इन दोनोंमें दैव बलवान् है। वह स्वयं ही निश्चय करके पुरुषार्थकी अपेक्षा किये बिना ही फल-साधमननमें प्रवृत्त हो जाता है, तथापि विद्वान् पुरुष कुशलताका आश्रय ले पुरुषार्थमें ही प्रवृत्त होते हैं
tayor daivaṃ viniścitya svayaṃ caiva pravartate | prājñāḥ puruṣakāreṣu vartante dākṣyam āśritāḥ ||
Between those two, it is Fate (daiva) that proves stronger: having, as it were, determined the outcome by itself, it sets the process of results in motion without waiting upon human effort. Yet the wise, taking refuge in skill and practical competence, still engage in deliberate human endeavor—choosing action and strategy even under the shadow of destiny.
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
Kṛpa contrasts daiva (fate) and puruṣakāra (human effort): even if destiny seems to operate independently and powerfully, the wise do not become passive. They rely on dākṣya—skill, prudence, and competent action—and continue to pursue purposeful effort.
In the Sauptika Parva’s tense aftermath of the great war, Kṛpa offers counsel framed as a reflection on causality: outcomes may be driven by fate, yet intelligent actors still choose strategy and exert effort. The verse functions as a justification for continued planning and action rather than resignation.