अनर्थः प्राप्यते यत्र शास्त्रितादपि पौरुषात् । अनर्थकर्तृ बलवत्तत्र ज्ञेयं स्वपौरुषम् ॥ ८ ॥
anarthaḥ prāpyatē yatra śāstritādapi pauruṣāt | anarthakartṛ balavattatra jñēyaṁ svapauruṣam || 8 ||
Translation
Where harm comes even from effort guided by scripture, know that one's own harmful effort is stronger there.
Word by word
- anarthaḥ
- harm
- prāpyatē
- comes
- yatra
- where
- śāstritād
- (śāstritāt) guided by scripture
- api
- even
- pauruṣāt
- from effort
- anartha
- harm
- kartṛ
- -ful
- balavat
- stronger
- tatra
- there
- jñēyaṁ
- know
- sva
- one's own
- pauruṣam
- effort
Meaning
An objection answered. What if one strives as scripture directs and still meets sickness or misfortune? Then, the verse says, one's own harmful effort, the old effort of the past, is stronger there (balavat). The commentary: where obstacles arise even to scripture-approved effort, know that one's own harmful past effort is strong, and it must be overcome too. This is not a reason to despair. It tells one where to look and what to do: strive harder, for the opponent is known.