Daivam Purushakarena - The Triumph of Human Effort
दैवं पुरुषकारेण यः समर्थः प्रबाधितुम्। न दैवेन विपन्नार्थः पुरुषः सोऽवसीदति॥
daivaṁ puruṣakāreṇa yaḥ samarthaḥ prabādhitum । na daivena vipannārthaḥ puruṣaḥ so’vasīdati ॥
Meaning of Daivaṁ Puruṣakāreṇa Yaḥ Samarthaḥ
A person who possesses the determination, perseverance and courage to turn adverse circumstances into favorable ones is never defeated by the challenges of life. Instead, through continuous effort and unwavering resolve, he moves forward and ultimately achieves success.
Word by word
- दैवम्daivam
fate
देव
- पुरुषकारेणpuruṣakāreṇa
by human effort
पुरुष + √कृ
- यःyaḥ
who
यद्
- समर्थःsamarthaḥ
is able
सम् + अर्थ
- प्रबाधितुम्prabādhitum
to press back
प्र + √बाध्
- नna
not
- दैवेनdaivena
by fate
देव
- विपन्नार्थःvipannārthaḥ
his purposes ruined
वि + √पद् + अर्थ
- पुरुषःpuruṣaḥ
the man
पुरुष
- सः अवसीदतिso'vasīdati
does he sink
अव + √सद्
Commentary
This verse contrasts daiva, the force of fate or circumstance, with puruṣakāra, determined human effort. It praises the person who is samarthaḥ, capable of confronting what seems to stand in the way, and says that such a person does not sink into discouragement when a purpose is threatened. The teaching is not a denial that adversity exists; it is a refusal to treat adversity as the final measure of what is possible. In the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, Lakṣmaṇa uses this reasoning to urge Rama toward courage and action. Read today, the verse makes perseverance a form of agency: effort, resolve, and courage can change how a difficult situation unfolds.
Original Post
More from Valmiki Ramayana
View source pageलोकपालाश्च ते सर्वे वासवप्रमुखास्तथा। ऋतवः षट् च ते सर्वे मासाः संवत्सराः क्षपाः॥ दिनानि च मुहूर्ताश्च स्वस्ति कुर्वन्तु ते सदा। श्रुतिः स्मृतिश्च धर्मश्च पातु त्वां पुत्र सर्वतः॥
lokapālāśca te sarve vāsavapramukhāstathā । ṛtavaḥ ṣaṭ ca te sarve māsāḥ saṁvatsarāḥ kṣapāḥ ॥ dināni ca muhūrtāśca svasti kurvantu te sadā । śrutiḥ smṛtiśca dharmaśca pātu tvāṁ putra sarvataḥ ॥
In this blessing from the Ayodhya Kanda, the guardians of the world, the cycles of time, sacred tradition, and dharma are invoked for abiding well-being and protection.
अनिर्वेदः श्रियो मूलमनिर्वेदः परं सुखम्। अनिर्वेदो हि सततं सर्वार्थेषु प्रवर्तकः॥
anirvedaḥ śriyo mūlam anirvedaḥ paraṁ sukham । anirvedo hi satataṁ sarvārtheṣu pravartakaḥ ॥
A Sundara Kanda verse from the Valmiki Ramayana teaching that non-despondency, steady effort, and faith are the roots of progress and happiness.
अनिर्वेदो हि सततं सर्वार्थेषु प्रवर्तकः। करोति सफलं जन्तोः कर्म यच्च करोति सः॥
anirvedo hi satataṁ sarvārtheṣu pravartakaḥ । karoti saphalaṁ jantoḥ karma yacca karoti saḥ ॥
A powerful verse from the Valmiki Ramayana emphasizing that enthusiasm and positive energy are the driving forces behind all successful endeavors.
More subhashitams on Perseverance
View topic pageवत्सराजोऽपि तं प्राप्तं प्रदत्तोपायनं नृपम्। प्रीत्या सम्मानयामास शूरा हि प्रणतिप्रियाः॥
vatsarājo 'pi taṃ prāptaṃ pradattopāyanaṃ nṛpam । prītyā sammānayāmāsa śūrā hi praṇatipriyāḥ ॥
Vatsaraja honours a king who comes with gifts, illustrating the brave person's regard for respectful homage.
भस्मीकृतस्वार्थसौख्यपरिचर्चितविग्रहाः। स्वराज्ययोगनिर्मग्ना धन्यास्ते वीरयोगिनः॥
bhasmīkṛtasvārthasaukhyaparicarcitavigrahāḥ । svarājyayoganirmagnā dhanyās te vīrayoginaḥ ॥
The verse praises heroic practitioners who renounce personal comforts and devote themselves fully to self-rule.
नित्यं परिचरेच्चैव तद्वै सुकृतमुत्तमम्। कीर्तिं पुण्यं यशो लोकान् प्राप्स्यसे राजसत्तम॥
nityaṃ paricareccaiva tadvai sukṛtamuttamam । kīrtiṃ puṇyaṃ yaśo lokān prāpsyase rājasattama ॥
Daily service is praised as an excellent deed that brings merit, renown and higher realms.