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It is a long time debate that whether Destiny is above Exertion, or Exertion is above. This topic has been mentioned in MBH several times. Here is the collection of some such instances. Read them and decide yourself ----

10-Sauptikaa Parv [G-6-War/40]
Kripaachaarya said this when Ashwatthamaa suggested to kill Paandav after Duryodhan's death while sleeping in their tents. Kripaa said - "We have heard you, now you listen to me. All men are governed by these two forces only: Destiny and Exertion. There is nothing greater than these two. Our acts cannot become successful by Destiny alone or by Exertion alone. The Success springs from the union of the two. Exertion, where Destiny is not auspicious; Destiny, where Exertion is not exercised; both situations are fruitless. Sometimes Destiny has settled a course of events, and thus acts automatically without the help of Exertion. For all that, the wise, with the help of their skills, recourse to Exertion. Recourse may be had to Exertion, but Exertion succeeds through Destiny only. It is in consequence of Destiny that one who sets himself to work, depending on his Exertion, attains the success. While the Exertion, even of a competent man without its Destiny, goes fruitless. Thus those people who are idle and fool, disapprove Exertion; while who are wise, they do not disapprove Exertion.

Generally, an act performed is not seen unproductive in the world; while the absence of action is seen as a grave misery. A person obtaining something itself, without making any efforts, as opposed to not obtaining anything even after efforts, is not seen. One who is busy in actions is capable of supporting life, opposed to that man who is idle never obtains happiness in life. If somebody is seen enjoying luxurious life without any Exertion, he soon becomes an object of hatred. He normally injures himself.

Efforts become ineffective in consequence of these two reasons, Destiny without Exertion and Exertion without Destiny, Without Destiny no act becomes successful in this world. Devoted to action and with skill, a person who always bows down to Devtaa becomes successful and is never lost. The same is the case with the one who properly waits upon the aged learned people for counsel as what is good for him and what is not, and obeys their counsel. .........And this is my resolution that those men whose acts do not succeed even after the Exertion, certainly they are afflicted by their Destiny."

10-Sauptikaa Parv [G-6-War/41]
Ashwatthaamaa also says this when he is about to enter Paandav's camp to kill Paandav and Paanchaal - "Human Exertion is never powerful than Destiny."

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