Shloka 40
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
यथावद् गुरुवृत्त्या ते प्रीतो5स्मि द्विजसत्तम । वरं वृणीष्व भद्ठं ते प्रदातास्मि न संशय:
yathāvad guruvṛttyā te prīto ’smi dvijasattama | varaṁ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṁ te pradātāsmi na saṁśayaḥ ||
「おお、二度生まれし者のうち最勝の者よ。汝が師に仕えるにあたり、しかるべき作法を尽くしたゆえ、我はまことに満ち足りている。汝に吉祥あれ。望みの恩寵を選べ。我が授けよう—疑いはない。」
प्रह्माद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Proper, disciplined service to one’s teacher (guru-vṛtti/guru-sevā) is presented as a powerful ethical virtue that earns genuine approval and tangible reward. The verse highlights dharmic formation through humility, obedience, and right conduct, and shows that blessings/boons are not arbitrary but arise from meritorious behavior.
Prahlāda addresses a Brahmin student respectfully, declaring that he is pleased with the student’s fitting service to the guru. He then invites the student to choose a boon and assures him it will be granted without doubt, marking a moment of recognition and reward within the didactic setting of Śānti Parva.