Chapter 58 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 58

Valmiki Ramayana — Bala Kanda

Verse 58.14

यज्ञैर्बहुविधैरिष्टं प्रजा धर्मेण पालिताः॥ गुरवश्च महात्मानः शीलवृत्तेन तोषिताः। धर्मे प्रयतमानस्य यज्ञं चाहर्तुमिच्छतः॥ परितोषं न गच्छन्ति गुरवो मुनिपुङ्गव। दैवमेव परं मन्ये पौरुषं तु निर्रथकम्॥

yajñairbahuvidhairiṣṭaṃ prajā dharmeṇa pālitāḥ|| guravaśca mahātmānaḥ śīlavṛttena toṣitāḥ| dharme prayatamānasya yajñaṃ cāhartumicchataḥ|| paritoṣaṃ na gacchanti guravo munipuṅgava| daivameva paraṃ manye pauruṣaṃ tu nirrathakam||

English Meaning

I have celebrated many sacrifices, and I have ruled my people in righteousness; and I have pleased my preceptors by my character and conduct. But, O . best of ascetics, now endeavouring to do my duty and intending to perform a sacrifice, I have failed in enlisting the good graces of my spiritual guides. Therefore do I consider Destiny as supreme; and action as nothing.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)