Shloka 20
Śreyas-nirdeśa (Discerning the Superior Good): Nārada–Gālava Saṃvāda
कृतानां फलमप्राप्तं कार्याणां कर्मसज्ञिनाम्
kṛtānāṃ phalam aprāptaṃ kāryāṇāṃ karmasaṃjñinām
भीष्म उवाच—कृतानां कर्मणां फलं न प्राप्यते; कर्मसंज्ञिनां कार्याणां च फलानि अप्राप्तान्येव तिष्ठन्ति।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the uncertainty of outcomes: even completed actions and intended duties may fail to yield their expected fruits. Ethically, it points toward steadiness in dharma and a measured attitude toward results—recognizing that effort does not always guarantee attainment.
In the Śānti Parva discourse, Bhīṣma continues instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and conduct. Here he underscores a practical truth about human action: results may not manifest despite effort, setting the stage for counsel on perseverance, prudence, and non-attachment to outcomes.