Dharma-śaṅkā-nivāraṇa: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Response on Karma-Phala and Trust in Dharma
उत्सीदेरन् प्रजा: सर्वा न कुर्यु: कर्म चेद् भुवि । तथा होता न वर्धेरन् कर्म चेदफलं भवेत्,यदि समस्त प्रजा इस भूतलपर कर्म करना छोड़ दे तो सबका संहार हो जाय। यदि कर्मका कुछ फल न हो तो इन प्रजाओंकी वृद्धि ही न हो
utsīderan prajāḥ sarvā na kuryuḥ karma ced bhuvi | tathā hotā na vardheran karma ced aphalaṃ bhavet ||
Kung ang lahat ng tao sa ibabaw ng daigdig ay tatalikod sa pagkilos, ang buong sambayanan ay lulubog sa kapahamakan. Gayundin, kung ang pagkilos ay walang bunga, hindi lalago ang kaayusang pinananatili ng yajña (handog na sakripisyo), ni ang pag-unlad at kasaganaan ng mga nilalang.
युधिछिर उवाच
Action (karma), especially duty-aligned action, is necessary for the survival and flourishing of society; if actions had no results, the sacrificial and moral economy that sustains prosperity and continuity would collapse.
Yudhiṣṭhira argues against abandoning action by pointing out its societal necessity: without people performing their duties, the world falls into ruin, and if actions were truly fruitless, the institutions and processes that support growth—symbolized by the Hotṛ and sacrifice—would not function.