Shloka 24
Arjuna’s Lament, the End of the Yadus, and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure
प्रायेणैतद् भगवत ईश्वरस्य विचेष्टितम् । मिथो निघ्नन्ति भूतानि भावयन्ति च यन्मिथ: ॥ २४ ॥
prāyeṇaitad bhagavata īśvarasya viceṣṭitam mitho nighnanti bhūtāni bhāvayanti ca yan mithaḥ
De fato, tudo isto se dá pela vontade suprema do Bhagavān, o Senhor. Às vezes os seres se matam mutuamente, e outras vezes se protegem uns aos outros.
According to the anthropologists, there is nature’s law of struggle for existence and survival of the fittest. But they do not know that behind the law of nature is the supreme direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the Bhagavad-gītā it is confirmed that the law of nature is executed under the direction of the Lord. Whenever, therefore, there is peace in the world, it must be known that it is due to the good will of the Lord. And whenever there is upheaval in the world, it is also due to the supreme will of the Lord. Not a blade of grass moves without the will of the Lord. Whenever, therefore, there is disobedience of the established rules enacted by the Lord, there is war between men and nations. The surest way to the path of peace, therefore, is dovetailing everything to the established rule of the Lord. The established rule is that whatever we do, whatever we eat, whatever we sacrifice or whatever we give in charity must be done to the full satisfaction of the Lord. No one should do anything, eat anything, sacrifice anything or give anything in charity against the will of the Lord. Discretion is the better part of valor, and one must learn how to discriminate between actions which may be pleasing to the Lord and those which may not be pleasing to the Lord. An action is thus judged by the Lord’s pleasure or displeasure. There is no room for personal whims; we must always be guided by the pleasure of the Lord. Such action is called yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam, or actions performed which are linked with the Supreme Lord. That is the art of doing a thing perfectly.
FAQs
This verse says such mutual conflict among creatures operates under the Supreme Lord’s arrangement—within material nature, beings act against one another due to conditioned life and karma.
Suta Gosvami is narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, explaining the Lord’s overarching arrangement seen in worldly events and interactions among beings.
It encourages seeing life’s reversals through the lens of divine governance and karma, reducing blame and agitation, and turning one’s focus toward dharma and devotion rather than resentment.