Shloka 123
Adhyāya 10: Śrutakarmā’s Engagements; Prativindhya–Citra Duel; Drauṇi Advances toward Bhīma
उपाया: पण्डितै:ः प्रोक्तास्ते तु दैवमुपाश्रिता: । “विद्वानोंने अभीष्ट अर्थकी सिद्धि करानेवाले चार उपाय बताये हैं--राग (राजाके प्रति सैनिकोंकी भक्ति), योग (साधन-सम्पत्ति), दक्षता (उत्साह, बल एवं कौशल) तथा नीति; परंतु वे सभी दैवके अधीन हैं
upāyāḥ paṇḍitaiḥ proktās te tu daivam upāśritāḥ |
उपायाः पण्डितैः प्रोक्तास्ते तु दैवमुपाश्रिताः। रागो योगश्च दक्षता नीतिश्चेति चतुर्विधाः; सर्वे तु दैवाधीनाः।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even well-devised human strategies (upāya) do not guarantee success; their outcome is ultimately contingent on daiva (destiny). The verse frames an ethical realism: one should act wisely and diligently, yet remain aware that results may lie beyond control.
Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra in the Karṇa Parva context, reflects on the limits of counsel and strategy in war: although the wise prescribe methods for achieving aims, the unfolding of the battle is governed by fate as well as effort.