Shloka 17
Dharma-śaṅkā-nivāraṇa: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Response on Karma-Phala and Trust in Dharma
यच्चापि किंचित् पुरुषो दिष्टं नाम भजत्युत । दैवेन विधिना पार्थ तद् दैवमिति निश्चितम्,कुन्तीनन्दन! मनुष्य जो कुछ भी देवाराधनकी विधिसे अपने भाग्यके अनुसार पाता है, उसे निश्चितरूपसे दैव (प्रारब्ध) कहा गया है
yaccāpi kiñcit puruṣo diṣṭaṃ nāma bhajaty uta | daivena vidhinā pārtha tad daivam iti niścitam ||
Sinabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Anumang bagay na mapasakamay ng tao bilang bahaging itinakda para sa kanya—na nakamit ayon sa banal na kautusan, O Pārtha—iyon ay tiyak na tinatawag na ‘daiva’, ang puwersa ng tadhana (ang nakalaang bahagi).”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines ‘daiva’ (destiny) as whatever outcome or possession a person receives as his allotted share under the divine order—emphasizing that certain results are understood as fixed by providential allotment.
In a reflective discussion on causality and responsibility, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Pārtha (Arjuna) and clarifies what should be called ‘daiva’: the portion of experience and gain that comes to a person as an appointed lot, governed by a higher ordinance.