When Shantanu's son, Bhishma, could not escape the son of Pandu (Arjuna) in battle, O Sanjaya, I consider Destiny to be supreme over exertion.
दिष्टमेव परं मन्ये पौरुषादिति मे मतिः। यत्र शान्तनवो भीष्मो नातरद् युधि पाण्डवम्॥