क्रियासिद्धिः सत्त्वे वसति महतां नोपकरणे
the success of great men lies upon their inherent strength, not on external means
रथस्यैकं चक्रं भुजगयमिताः सप्ततुरगा
निरालम्बो मार्गश्चरणरहितः सारथिरपि।
रविर्गच्छत्यन्तं प्रतिदिनमपारस्य नभसः
क्रियासिद्धिः सत्त्वे वसति महतां नोपकरणे॥
verse by argaṭa (compiled in subhāṣitāvalī) 2277
Even though the chariot has but a single wheel, though seven horses are controlled with serpent-reins, though the path supports itself, and the charioteer is without feet, the Sun still reaches the end of the boundless sky. Thus, the success of great men lies upon their inherent strength, not on external means.
विजेतव्या लङ्का चरणतरणीयो जलनिधिर्
विपक्षः पौलस्त्यो रणभुवि सहायाश्च कपयः।
तथाप्याजौ रामः सकलमवधीद्राक्षसकुलं
क्रियासिद्धिः सत्त्वे वसति महतां नोपकरणे॥
compiled in subhāṣitāvalī 2278
Laṅkā was to be conquered, the ocean crossed on foot, the enemy was the son of the sage Pulasti (=Rāvaṇa), and the monkeys were the helpers on the battlefield; even so, Rāma alone destroyed the family of demons. Thus, the success of great men rests lies their inherent strength, not on external means.
घटे जन्मस्थानं मृगपरिजनो भूर्जवसनो
वने वासः कन्दादिकमशनमेवंविधगुणः।
अगस्त्यः पाथोधिं यदकृत कराम्भोजकुहरे
क्रियासिद्धिः सत्त्वे वसति महतां नोपकरणे॥
compiled in subhāṣitāvalī 2279
Though his birth was from a pot, deer were his family, bhūrja bark his garments, the forest his dwelling, roots his food—Agastya still held the vast ocean in the hollow of his lotus-like palm. Thus, the success of great men rests upon their inherent power, not on external means.
विपक्षः श्रीकण्ठो जडतनुरमात्यः शशधरो
वसन्तः सामन्तः कुसुममिषवः सैन्यमबलाः।
तथापि त्रैलोक्यं जयति मदनो देहरहितः
क्रियासिद्धिः सत्त्वे वसति महतां नोपकरणे॥
compiled in subhāṣitāvalī 2280
Śiva himself stood in opposition, the moon as minister was lifeless, spring was his subordinate king, flowers formed his arrows, and women were his army—yet bodiless Madana (God of love) conquered the three worlds. Thus, the success of great men depends on their innate force of character, not on external means.