Shloka 10
नरनारायण-नारदसंवादः
Nara-Nārāyaṇa–Nārada Discourse on Vision, Elements, and Entry into Vāsudeva
संयताश्च हि दक्षाश्ष मतिमन्तश्ष मानवा: | दृश्यन्ते निष्फला: संतः प्रहीणा: सर्वकर्मभि:
saṁyatāś ca hi dakṣāś ca matimantaś ca mānavāḥ | dṛśyante niṣphalāḥ santaḥ prahīṇāḥ sarvakarmabhiḥ ||
นารทกล่าวว่า—แม้มนุษย์ผู้สำรวม ผู้ชำนาญ และผู้มีปัญญา ก็ยังปรากฏว่าไร้ผล ทั้งที่เป็นคนดี เมื่อกิจการทั้งปวงทอดทิ้งเขาไป
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Merit and personal qualities (discipline, skill, intelligence) do not automatically yield visible results; when one’s actions or undertakings fail to take effect—whether through adverse conditions, loss of opportunity, or the collapse of means—good people too may appear ‘fruitless.’ The verse invites reflection on the limits of human agency and the need for steadiness in dharma despite outcomes.
In Śānti Parva’s didactic setting, Nārada is instructing by observation about human life: he points out that even virtuous and capable persons can be seen without tangible results when their works do not proceed or are taken away, setting up a broader discussion on karma, circumstance, and the pursuit of dharma.