The works of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya

Sanatsujātīyam

p. 297

p. 297

नाशित्वादित्याशङ्क्याह—ईशान इति ।भवेदयं दोषः यदि केवलात्कर्मणः फलसिद्धिः स्यात्; ईशानः परमेश्वरः कृतप्रयत्नापेक्षः सन् सर्वेषु प्राणिषु प्राणाग्निहोत्रस्येतरस्य च तत्कर्मानुसारेण हविर्भूतम् अन्नादिकम् अकल्पयत् ।य ईशानः सर्वभूतेषु हविर्भूतमकल्पयत्, तं भगवन्तं योगिन एव पश्यन्ति ॥

In plain words

Anticipating the objection that karma must perish after bearing fruit, the text states 'īśāna' (the Ruler). This flaw would indeed arise if results came from mere action alone without a dispenser. But the Supreme Lord, taking into account the effort made by living beings, assigns appropriate sustenance and enjoyments to each according to their karma. That blessed Lord who thus distributes the fruits for all beings is perceived by yogis alone.

Close to the Sanskrit

Anticipating the doubt, 'because of perishability', he says, 'īśāna' (the ruler). This defect would be if the accomplishment of fruit were from mere action; the Supreme Lord, being one who regards the effort made, assigned food and the like, which has become oblation, in accordance with that karma among all living beings. Which ruler assigned the oblation among all beings, that blessed Lord yogis alone see.