Sabha Parva 11.12
Rahular Itihasa / M. N. Dutt · Sabha Parva Chapter 11 · Verse 12
Sanskrit Original
जयस्य हेतुः सिद्धिर्हि कर्म दैवं च संश्रितम्। संयुक्तो हि बलैः कश्चित् प्रमादान्नोपयुज्यते॥ तेन द्वारेण शत्रुभ्यः क्षीयते सबलो रिपुः॥ दैन्यं यथा बलवति तथा मोहो बलान्विते। तावुभौ नाशकौ हेतू राज्ञा त्याज्यौ जयार्थिना॥
Concentration of mind, exertion and destiny, (these three) exist as the three causes of victory. One who possesses velour, but does act with carelessness can never win victory; It is for this that a many endued with strength sometimes suffers death at the hands of his enemies. As meanness overtakes the weak, so folly sometimes overtakes the strong. A king therefore, who is desirous of victory, should forsake both these causes of destruction.