Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
इत्युक्त्वान्तहितं तद् वै शक्रं चान्वाविशत् प्रभो | तस्मिंस्तेजसि याते तु तादृग्रूपस्ततो5पर:
ity uktvāntahitaṃ tad vai śakraṃ cānvāviśat prabho | tasmiṃs tejasi yāte tu tādṛg-rūpas tato 'paraḥ ||
Setelah berkata demikian, ia lenyap dari pandangan dan, wahai tuan, memasuki Śakra (Indra). Ketika cahaya itu telah menyatu ke dalam dirinya, muncullah sosok lain dengan wujud yang serupa.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
The verse highlights the subtlety of divine power (tejas): it can withdraw from perception, merge into a deity like Indra, and yet manifest again in another comparable form—implying that outward appearance is not a reliable measure of inner reality or spiritual agency.
After speaking, a certain presence disappears and enters into Śakra (Indra). Once that radiance has merged, another figure appears with a similar form, indicating a succession or replacement of manifestations connected with the same spiritual energy.