Once, a wise sage addressed an assembly, imparting profound teachings about the nature of human effort and destiny. He began by declaring that through noble effort, one swiftly attains noble results; whereas ignoble effort inevitably yields ignoble outcomes. Fate, he asserted, is nothing at all—it holds no real power. He illustrated his point with a vivid example: if someone abandons direct perception for mere inference, and, instead of using his own arms to confront two snakes, chooses to flee, this is a sign of misplaced reliance. Those who say, “Fate impels me,” reveal their foolishness; for when the true cause behind events is perceived, fortune itself departs. Therefore, the sage advised, one should fully depend upon discernment and personal effort, examining scriptures whose meaning is rooted in self-knowledge. If people pursue an objective—pondering it in their minds, following the scriptures, and exerting effort—yet fail to achieve it, such misguided ones are to be reproached for their ill-conceived aims. He reminded the assembly that human effort is not boundless, nor is everything attainable. Just as oil cannot be extracted from a stone, no matter how hard one tries, so too are the limits of human endeavor fixed—like the size of a pot or the length of a cloth. The fruit of human effort, he explained, is produced by proper conduct, association with the wise, and understanding of scripture. This is its very nature; otherwise, it leads only to misfortune. When a person acts in accordance with the true nature of human effort, no one ever becomes fruitless in their striving. He recounted that even those afflicted by misery, poverty, and sorrow have, through effort and perseverance alone, attained a status equal to Indra, king of the gods. From childhood, by cultivating virtues such as study of scripture and association with the wise, one’s own goal is achieved through human effort. What is seen directly, experienced, heard, and done—all attest to this truth. Those who think everything arises from fate alone are ruined and possess poor understanding. If there were no laziness, what misfortune would remain in the world? Who would not be wealthy or learned? Because of laziness, this earth—bounded by oceans—is filled with human beasts and the destitute. He urged that when childhood has passed, and the mind is no longer absorbed in ceaseless play, from the onset of youth, one should, through effort and noble company, cultivate discernment regarding the true nature of things, and reflect upon one's own virtues and faults. As the sage spoke thus, the day drew to its evening close. The sun set, and the assembly, having offered their salutations, went to bathe. Dusk arrived as the sun’s rays faded. The next day, the discourse continued. The sage declared: therefore, only human effort exists before destiny; abandon all else far away. By the force of good company and true scriptures, one should uplift one's life. The greater the effort, the swifter the result will be. Thus, only human effort exists; let destiny be just that for you. He explained that just as, in times of suffering, one exclaims, “Alas, how painful!” so too, the word “destiny” is merely another way of saying “alas!” Apart from the form created by one’s own past actions, there is no such thing as destiny; like a child facing a strong man, it can be overcome here. Just as bad conduct from yesterday quickly becomes good today through virtuous behavior, so too, past misdeeds are transformed. Those who strive for victory without clinging to even a trace of gain are deluded, ordinary, pitiable, and remain devoted to fate. When an action performed by effort is destroyed by fate, in that case, the effort of the destroyer should be understood as more powerful. Even among two fruits on a single stalk, one may have an empty cavity; here, the effort and awareness of the essence differ accordingly. When the phenomena of the world, though perfected, come to destruction, the great power of the effort causing that destruction should be recognized. When a beggar is forcibly made king by auspicious means, that is the great result of the effort of ministers, elephants, and citizens. Just as food is seized and crushed by the teeth through effort, so too is a little effort overcome and crushed by a hero. The ease experienced by the great who are diligent in effort is such that they employ actions as they wish, as if they were mere clods of earth. Whatever effort of the capable is seen or unseen—that is called “fate” by the incapable, lacking discernment within themselves. The powerful effort of beings is regarded as fate; this is clearly seen even among those who are established as rulers. The natural discernment of ministers, elephants, and citizens, which is not subject to doubt, is what governs and sustains the state of a kingdom of beggars. The present destroys the past, and the past forcibly overcomes the present; yet always, the effort of a person who remains undisturbed is victorious therein. Of the two, the present is stronger than the visible; thus, with effort, fate can be overcome, just as a child can be subdued by a youth. If a year’s harvest, gained through effort, is carried away by a cloud, then the effort to influence the cloud prevails when one applies greater exertion. When wealth acquired gradually is lost, one should not be distressed; where my strength is powerless, what is the use of lamentation? If I grieve over what I cannot accomplish, then that is a withdrawal befitting one who is unmindful of death. All the conditions of the world arise according to place, time, action, and material; yet, one who exerts greater effort prevails over them all. Therefore, relying on your own effort, and through true scriptures and association with the good, bring your understanding to purity and cross the ocean of worldly existence. Both the past and present pursuits of human aims are trees bearing fruit; but the present pursuit surpasses the other and prevails. He who does not dispel the insignificance of past actions by good deeds is an ignorant creature, powerless over the happiness and sorrow of speech and mind. But he who possesses noble wonder and lives in good conduct departs from the delusion of the world like a lion from its cage. Thus, the sage’s words resounded, guiding all who listened to place their faith in discernment, effort, and noble company, and to rise above the illusions of fate, embracing the power and responsibility of their own actions.