Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
को भवानिति पृष्टश्न तमाह स महाद्युति:
ko bhavān iti pṛṣṭaśnaṃ tam āha sa mahādyutiḥ |
Ketika ditanya, “Siapakah engkau?”, sosok yang bercahaya itu menjawab kepadanya.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
The verse foregrounds respectful inquiry into identity (“Who are you?”) as a gateway to deeper ethical and spiritual discussion—suggesting that true understanding begins with questioning and a worthy respondent’s illuminating reply.
A Brahmin asks an unknown but radiant figure to identify himself. The illustrious person then answers, marking a transition into an explanatory or instructive response within the Shanti Parva’s reflective discourse.