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:,उसके चले जानेपर प्रह्नादके शरीरसे महान् शब्द करता हुआ पुनः एक पुरुष प्रकट हुआ। उसने पूछनेपर बताया--'मुझे बल समझो। जहाँ सदाचार होता है, वहीं मेरा भी स्थान है!
tasmin gate mahāśabdaḥ śarīrāt tasya niryayau | pṛṣṭaś cāha balaṃ viddhi yato vṛttam ahaṃ tataḥ ||
Setelah dia pergi, terdengarlah bunyi yang besar keluar dari tubuhnya, dan sekali lagi seorang insan menjelma. Apabila ditanya, dia berkata: “Ketahuilah aku sebagai Kekuatan (Bala). Di mana kelakuan yang benar berkuasa, di situlah juga tempatku.”
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.