Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
दत्ते वरे गते विप्रे चिन्ता55सीन्महती तदा । प्रह्ादस्य महाराज निश्चयं न च जग्मिवान्
datte vare gate vipre cintāsīn mahatī tadā | prahrādasya mahārāja niścayaṃ na ca jagmivān ||
Wahai Raja, setelah anugerah itu diberikan dan sang brahmana telah pergi, kegelisahan besar menyergap Prahlāda. Ia merenungkan apa yang seharusnya dilakukan, namun tak juga sampai pada keputusan yang teguh.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
A promise or boon, once granted, can create a binding ethical burden; dharma is tested not only in giving but in responsibly fulfilling what one has pledged, even when uncertainty and fear arise.
Prahlāda has granted a boon to a Brahmin. After the Brahmin leaves, Prahlāda becomes deeply anxious and cannot decide what course of action to take, indicating an impending moral or practical difficulty connected with the boon.