Yudhisthira once asked Bhismadeva what makes one successful, destiny(Daiva) or action (purushartha)?

Purusha is a person who has the doer’s mentality and daiva is being dependent on something beyond oneself. In this regard Bhisma told Yudhisthira that there is a higher power which makes everything work but we too have to endevour. Daiva does not make it happen unless there is the flavour of endevour, and endevour does not becomes successful unless it is soaked in daiva.

Bhisma in this case said how purusharatha is responsible for success. He said daiva follows Purusharatha. Bhisma was speaking this to the afflicted Yudhisthira who was reluctant to lead even after victory and was wanting to lead a life of a recluse, like a sannyasi. Bhisma tried explaining to Yudhisthira about doing his duty without attachement. Yudhisthira had done his duty as a warrior and was responsible for the future course of action and lead the people as their emperor.
The mandate was clear, but Yudhisthira was unwilling .

Bhisma had to push the concept of purushartha over daiva, even though daiva is the superior force. When someone sits and holds daiva responsible while avoiding Purushartha, then the saints and scirptures do come forward to remind the unwilling to take the reins and perform action. And at the same time if some one is unwilling to detach and move on with the next stage of life, the saints and the scriptures advise, “Hey you move away from the concept of I am the doer, your time is up, do not consider yourself to be the doer of activities.” The scriptures and the saints use the right medicine and the right time.

The sleeping soul needs to be awakened to peform its duty, and the egoistic soul is to be awakened to daiva for the performance of acitivities. There is no contradiction here rather there is a harmony in instructing people .

Eventually Yudhisthira rose and took the reins of the kingdom and became excellent at performing his duty, while keeping the partnership of daiva and purusharatha at the forefront

– Govinda Das (ISKCON Member)

Shubh Bhishma Panchak