Shloka 55
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
तस्मिन् गते महाशब्द: शरीरात् तस्य निर्ययौ । पृष्टश्नाह बल॑ विद्धि यतो वृत्तमहं तत:
tasmin gate mahāśabdaḥ śarīrāt tasya niryayau | pṛṣṭaś cāha balaṃ viddhi yato vṛttam ahaṃ tataḥ ||
Lorsqu’il fut parti, un grand fracas jaillit de son corps, et de nouveau une personne se manifesta. Interrogée, elle dit : « Sachez que je suis la Force (Bala). Là où prévaut la conduite droite, là aussi est ma demeure. »
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Strength (bala) is not merely physical force; it is grounded in righteous conduct (vṛtta/sadācāra). Where ethical discipline and good conduct are established, there true strength naturally abides.
After someone departs, a great sound emerges from Prahlāda’s body and a new personified figure appears. When asked who he is, the figure identifies himself as ‘Strength’ and declares that his dwelling is wherever virtuous conduct is present.