Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
ते विश्रब्धा: प्रभाषन्ते संयच्छन्ति च मां सदा । ते मां काव्यपथे युक्त शुश्रुषुमनसूयकम्
te viśrabdhāḥ prabhāṣante saṃyacchanti ca māṃ sadā | te māṃ kāvyapathe yuktaṃ śuśrūṣum anasūyakam ||
Prahlāda dijo: «Esos brahmanes, confiados en mí, me hablan con franqueza; y sin cesar me mantienen en el freno del autocontrol. Me ven entregado al sendero del consejo sabio, deseoso de servir y libre de buscar faltas. Por eso no dejan de instruirme, rociándome, por así decirlo, con palabras de los śāstras semejantes al néctar, como las abejas humedecen un panal con los jugos de las flores».
प्रह्माद उवाच
Ethical formation comes through humble receptivity: one should be non-censorious (anasūyaka), eager to serve and listen (śuśrūṣu), and accept disciplined restraint (saṃyama) from wise teachers; such guidance is portrayed as ‘nectar’ that nourishes character.
Prahlāda describes his relationship with brahmin advisers/teachers: because they trust him, they speak openly and continually guide him toward self-control and right conduct, enriching him with śāstric instruction.