Shloka 28
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
स ततो ब्राह्मुणो भूत्वा प्रहादं पाकशासन: । गत्वा प्रोवाच मेधावी श्रेय इच्छामि वेदितुम्
sa tato brāhmaṇo bhūtvā prahrādaṁ pākaśāsanaḥ | gatvā provāca medhāvī śreya icchāmi veditum ||
Kemudian Pākaśāsana (Indra) menyamar sebagai seorang brāhmaṇa dan mendatangi Prahlāda. Dengan bijaksana ia berkata, “Wahai Raja, aku ingin mengetahui śreya yang tertinggi—apa yang sungguh membawa kebaikan.”
घतयाट्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classical ethical inquiry: the pursuit of śreyas—true, lasting good—over transient aims. It sets up a discussion on right conduct and the principles that lead to genuine welfare.
Indra, taking the form of a brāhmaṇa, approaches King Prahlāda and asks him to explain śreyas—what should be regarded as the highest good—thereby initiating a didactic dialogue.