Shloka 8
अध्याय २८६ — पराशर-उपदेशः
Ethical Restraint, Mortality, and Karma
विहितेनैव जीवन्ति अरोगाड़ा दिवौकस: । बलवन्तोडबलाश्वैव तस्मादस्मान् सभाजय
vihitenaiva jīvanti arogā divaukasaḥ | balavanto ’balāś caiva tasmād asmān sabhājaya ||
समद उवाच—देवा अपि निरामयाः विहितेनैव जीवन्ति; बलवन्तोऽबलाश्चैव तेनैव विधिना जीवन्ति। तस्मादस्मान् अपि सभाजय; वयमपि दैवपरायणा न स्वातन्त्र्येण कर्मारम्भं कुर्मः—मा नः अकर्मण्य इति अवजानिथ।
समड़ उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even exalted beings (the gods), whether strong or weak, live under what is ordained (vihita). Hence one should not despise others as inactive; respect is due because all are constrained by destiny/dispensation and the limits of agency.
Samada responds to an implied criticism or disregard, arguing that their non-initiation of action is not mere laziness but reliance on what is ordained; he asks the listener to treat them with honor rather than contempt.