There are those who strive for victory, yet cling to no trace of gain or reward. Such people, though earnest, are often deluded, ordinary, and pitiable, for they remain devoted only to fate, never realizing the power of their own effort. When an action, performed with great exertion, is destroyed by fate, it is the effort of the destroyer that should be understood as more powerful in that moment. Consider two fruits growing on a single stalk: if one is hollow, it is because the effort and awareness of the essence differed for each. Even perfected phenomena in this world can come to destruction, and when they do, it is the great force of effort behind that destruction that must be recognized. Sometimes, a beggar is raised to kingship by auspicious means; this is the mighty result of the collective effort of ministers, elephants, and citizens. Just as food is seized and crushed by the teeth through effort, so too can a hero overcome and crush even the smallest resistance with a little effort. The great ones, diligent in their exertion, experience such ease that they employ actions as they wish, as if they were merely handling clods of earth. Whatever effort is made by the capable—whether seen or unseen—is called “fate” by those incapable of discernment, who lack clarity within themselves. Indeed, the powerful effort of beings is often regarded as fate; this is evident even among those established as rulers. The natural discernment of ministers, elephants, and citizens, which is beyond doubt, is what sustains and governs the state of a kingdom, even if it is a kingdom of beggars. The present destroys the past, and sometimes the past overcomes the present; yet always, it is the effort of a person who remains undisturbed that is victorious. Of the two, the present is stronger than what is 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 hard work, is carried away by a cloud, then greater effort to influence the cloud prevails, when one applies it. When wealth acquired gradually is lost, one should not be distressed; where one’s strength is powerless, what use is there in lamentation? If one grieves over what cannot be accomplished, it is a withdrawal befitting one who is unmindful of death. All conditions in this world arise according to place, time, action, and material; yet, the one who exerts greater effort prevails over them all. Therefore, relying on your own effort, guided by true scriptures and association with the good, purify your understanding and cross the ocean of worldly existence. Both past and present pursuits of human aims are like 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 ignorant, 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 leaving its cage. The notion, “Someone else impels me to act thus,” is a harmful delusion; whoever holds to this view, abandoning what is evident, should be shunned from afar as base. Amid thousands of transactions that come and go, one should act according to the scriptures, having abandoned pleasure and pain in them. For one who does not abandon the unbroken boundary of scriptural conduct, all treasures arise, as if from the ocean. The wise describe single-minded effort toward attaining one’s own purpose as “human effort”; it succeeds when guided by scripture. When action is vibrant and dynamic, it naturally accomplishes its purpose. This is sharpened by intellect through association with the virtuous and study of true scriptures. The wise know the supreme reality as endless, equal bliss; those who fully attain it are the true teachers and scriptures to be served. If previous effort is referred to as “destiny,” then it is appropriate; in this context, that name is not rejected. Destiny, imagined by the foolish as something else, has led them to ruin. Always, only one’s own effort brings benefit to both worlds. Just as yesterday’s wrong actions are replaced by today’s good deeds, so too are previous actions overcome; therefore, strive to be a doer of noble acts. The fruit of effort is as clearly seen as an amla fruit in one’s palm; the foolish, ignoring what is obvious, sink into the delusion of destiny. Destiny, conceived by one’s own imagination and devoid of all cause and effect, should be disregarded as unreal. O one of auspicious intent, rely on the effort of your own self. The result produced by scriptures, noble conduct, and established regional customs grows over a long time; when it shines in the heart, the mind seeks nothing else, and all faculties follow—this is called true effort. Having realized that the fruit of effort is indeed attained through human endeavor, one should always engage in personal effort. Thereafter, its supreme fulfillment is to be attained by serving true scriptures, virtuous people, and the wise. With a mind that skillfully examines destiny and personal effort, one should always act with one’s own effort; thus, by those who are so inclined, the pursuit of serving noble people is always victorious. This living being, bound by the chain of birth, is afflicted by disease; realizing this, one should employ natural human effort for success. Let him attain peace through the unfailing supreme medicine, which is the company of contented and truly wise people. Having obtained a body free from disease and only lightly touched by affliction, one should so establish oneself that there is no further rebirth. Whoever wishes to transcend destiny through personal effort, both here and hereafter, will attain all that is fully desired. Those who, abandoning all effort, remain devoted only to fate—such self-hating ones destroy righteousness, wealth, and enjoyment. The movement of consciousness, the movement of mind, and the movement of the senses—these are the forms of human effort, and from these arise results. As is the awareness in the mind, so is the inner movement that arises; likewise, the body acts accordingly, and thus comes the experience of results.