Shloka 55
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
तस्मिन् गते महाशब्द: शरीरात् तस्य निर्ययौ । पृष्टश्नाह बल॑ विद्धि यतो वृत्तमहं तत:
tasmin gate mahāśabdaḥ śarīrāt tasya niryayau | pṛṣṭaś cāha balaṃ viddhi yato vṛttam ahaṃ tataḥ ||
Setelah ia pergi, dari tubuhnya terdengar bunyi dahsyat, dan sekali lagi seorang pribadi menampakkan diri. Ketika ditanya, ia berkata, “Ketahuilah aku sebagai Kekuatan (Bala). Di mana kelakuan benar tegak, di sanalah aku.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Strength (bala) is not merely physical force; it is grounded in righteous conduct (vṛtta/sadācāra). Where ethical discipline and good conduct are established, there true strength naturally abides.
After someone departs, a great sound emerges from Prahlāda’s body and a new personified figure appears. When asked who he is, the figure identifies himself as ‘Strength’ and declares that his dwelling is wherever virtuous conduct is present.