Shloka 123
Adhyāya 10: Śrutakarmā’s Engagements; Prativindhya–Citra Duel; Drauṇi Advances toward Bhīma
उपाया: पण्डितै:ः प्रोक्तास्ते तु दैवमुपाश्रिता: । “विद्वानोंने अभीष्ट अर्थकी सिद्धि करानेवाले चार उपाय बताये हैं--राग (राजाके प्रति सैनिकोंकी भक्ति)
upāyāḥ paṇḍitaiḥ proktās te tu daivam upāśritāḥ |
桑阇耶说道：“智者曾教示种种成就所愿之道；然而这一切手段终究依凭于天命。人的努力——无论是忠诚、资财、技艺，还是谋略——固可筹划并力行，但其结果仍取决于命运那不可见的安排。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even well-devised human strategies (upāya) do not guarantee success; their outcome is ultimately contingent on daiva (destiny). The verse frames an ethical realism: one should act wisely and diligently, yet remain aware that results may lie beyond control.
Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra in the Karṇa Parva context, reflects on the limits of counsel and strategy in war: although the wise prescribe methods for achieving aims, the unfolding of the battle is governed by fate as well as effort.