Shloka 16
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
एकरात्रेण मान्धाता >यहेण जनमेजय: । सप्तरात्रेण नाभाग: पृथिवीं प्रतिपेदिरे,मान्धाताने एक ही दिनमें, जनमेजयने तीन ही दिनोंमें और नाभागने सात दिनोंमें ही इस पृथ्वीका राज्य प्राप्त किया था
ekarātreṇa māndhātā trayāheṇa janamejayaḥ | saptarātreṇa nābhāgaḥ pṛthivīṃ pratipedire ||
Ghṛtayāḍṛ said: “Māndhātṛ attained sovereignty over the earth in a single night; Janamejaya in three days; and Nābhāga in seven nights.”
घतयादट्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal power and worldly success can arrive with startling speed; therefore one should not presume long preparation guarantees results, but cultivate dharma and merit so that when opportunity ripens, rightful prosperity can manifest quickly.
The speaker cites three exemplary kings—Māndhātṛ, Janamejaya, and Nābhāga—each said to have obtained dominion over the earth within a very short span (one night, three days, seven nights), as evidence for the rapidity with which sovereignty may be gained.