Shloka 20

Anuśāsana-parva Adhyāya 112: Dharma as the sole companion; karmic witnesses; rebirth sequences

Bṛhaspati–Yudhiṣṭhira Saṃvāda

Devanagari script

यथा बल क्रियाहीनं क्रिया वा बलवर्जिता । नेह साधयते कार्य समायुक्ता तु सिध्यति

Transliteration

yathā bala-kriyā-hīnaṁ kriyā vā bala-varjitā | neha sādhayate kāryaṁ samāyuktā tu sidhyati ||

Translation

भीष्म उवाच—यथा बलं क्रियाहीनं क्रिया वा बलवर्जिता । नेह साधयते कार्यं समायुक्ता तु सिध्यति ॥

Word by Word

• यथा: just as
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• बलम्: strength
• बलम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• क्रियाहीनम्: devoid of action/effort
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रियाहीन
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• क्रिया: action/effort
• क्रिया: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रिया
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• वा: or
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा

• बलवर्जिता: deprived of strength
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलवर्जित
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• इह: here/in this world
• इह: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह

• साधयते: accomplishes
• Type: Verb
• Root: साध्
• Form: Present, Third, Singular, Atmanepada

• कार्यम्: task/goal
• कार्यम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• समायुक्ता: properly joined/combined
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-आ-युज्
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• तु: but
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• सिध्यति: is accomplished/succeeds
• Type: Verb
• Root: सिध्
• Form: Present, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Success in any undertaking—especially one aligned with dharma—requires the union of capability (bala) and effective effort (kriyā). Either one alone is insufficient; coordinated strength and action bring results.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma continues instructing on dharma and right conduct. Here he offers a concise maxim: practical outcomes depend on harmonizing power/resources with purposeful action.