Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 20
Mind as Charioteer; Kṣetrajña, Tapas, and Dhyāna-Yoga
Adhyātma-Upadeśa
तथा कर्मसु विज्ञेयं फलं भवति वा न वा । पुरुषस्यात्मनि:श्रेय: शुभाशुभनिदर्शनम्
tathā karmasu vijñeyaṃ phalaṃ bhavati vā na vā | puruṣasyātmaniḥśreyaḥ śubhāśubhanidarśanam |
Gayundin sa larangan ng mga gawa, dapat maunawaan na ang bunga ay maaaring lumitaw—o maaari ring hindi. Ang pinakamataas na kabutihan ng tao, na natatamo sa loob ng sarili, ang nagiging palatandaan ng mabuti at masamang bakas (saṃskāra) na dala mula sa mga naunang buhay: kapag tinahak ang mga disiplina ng yoga, ang pagtatamo ay maaaring dumating nang may matinding hirap, o maaari pang hindi magpakita, ayon sa mga nakatagong anyo ng pagkakasanay na iyon.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Results in action are not mechanically guaranteed; fruition may occur or may not. One’s inner progress toward niḥśreyas (highest good) reveals the force of prior auspicious and inauspicious saṃskāras, explaining why yogic attainment can be difficult or delayed for some.
Vāyudeva is instructing the listener on the moral psychology of karma and spiritual practice: he frames success in yogic discipline as conditioned by past-life impressions, and urges discernment that outcomes are contingent rather than assured.