Shloka 40
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
यथावद् गुरुवृत्त्या ते प्रीतो5स्मि द्विजसत्तम । वरं वृणीष्व भद्ठं ते प्रदातास्मि न संशय:,द्विजश्रेष्ठ! मैं तुम्हारे द्वारा की हुई यथोचित गुरुसेवासे बहुत प्रसन्न हूँ। तुम्हारा कल्याण हो। तुम कोई वर माँगो। मैं उसे दूँगा। इसमें संशय नहीं है”
yathāvad guruvṛttyā te prīto ’smi dvijasattama | varaṁ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṁ te pradātāsmi na saṁśayaḥ ||
“O best of twice-born ones, I am truly pleased with you for the proper conduct you have shown in serving your teacher. May good befall you. Choose a boon; I will grant it to you—of this there is no doubt.”
प्रह्माद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Proper, disciplined service to one’s teacher (guru-vṛtti/guru-sevā) is presented as a powerful ethical virtue that earns genuine approval and tangible reward. The verse highlights dharmic formation through humility, obedience, and right conduct, and shows that blessings/boons are not arbitrary but arise from meritorious behavior.
Prahlāda addresses a Brahmin student respectfully, declaring that he is pleased with the student’s fitting service to the guru. He then invites the student to choose a boon and assures him it will be granted without doubt, marking a moment of recognition and reward within the didactic setting of Śānti Parva.