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In the Sauptika parva,it is emphatically remarked that exertion and destiny together lead one to success. Here the spirit of the statement seems to be that man's duty is to exert himself to his utmost capacity with a view to attain success but if he fails not withstanding his utmost efforts, he is not to blame. He should be regarded as being overpowered by the forces of Daiva.2
This is the philosophy of action for the practical man according to the Mahābhārata.3 It is clearly stated that good acts produce happiness and sinful acts produce misery. A person never enjoys or suffers without a proper cause. His present enjoyment or suffering is really a consequence of his previous deeds.
The other passage shows that no one enjoys or suffers wrongly in this world. If he enjoys pleasures, it is because he has earned them or if he suffers pain that also is because it is his due. In this world, strict justice maintains order and there is no room for unfair play in the moral administration of the world. No body has a friend or an enemy who can act in his favour or against him. Every man is his own friend and is his own enemy. As a matter of fact he himself is the true witness of his own actions. The inevitable character of previous Karma has often been exercised in the Epic. It is pointed out in the śānti Parva thật Daiva and Puruşakāra are mutually dependant for practical purposes, a person should exert himself in the direction of Puru-. şakāra or a personal exertion and should not like an impotent person try to depend hopelessly on Daiva. This is exactly the spirit of the other statement of Santiparva.5
An interesting passage in the Santiparva makes a curious statement to thc effect that though some people may lay emphasis on present activity i.e. Puruşakāra and others on the other hand i. M u rat. Saun:ita Parva II 2-3. 2. S:9:ik: Parv: 11. 35. 3. Vanhas, Sani Pura, Adhayāga Chapter 181. 10, 14, 16 . 4. 1012., Sto: P:rv:, 139 Ardhayanya, 82 5. kl., Sint Pr*:, 139.84.
