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:
yathāvad guruvṛttyā te prīto ’smi dvijasattama | varaṁ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṁ te pradātāsmi na saṁśayaḥ ||
द्विजश्रेष्ठ! तुम्हारे द्वारा की गई यथोचित गुरुसेवा से मैं अत्यन्त प्रसन्न हूँ। तुम्हारा कल्याण हो। कोई वर माँगो; मैं अवश्य दूँगा—इसमें संशय नहीं।
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.