Shloka 29
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
प्रह्मदस्त्वब्रवीद् विप्रं क्षणो नास्ति द्विजर्षभ । त्रैलोक्यराज्यसक्तस्य ततो नोपदिशामि ते
prahmadas tv abravīd vipraṁ kṣaṇo nāsti dvijarṣabha | trailokya-rājya-saktasya tato nopadiśāmi te ||
ପ୍ରହ୍ଲାଦ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ—“ଦ୍ୱିଜଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ! ମୋ ପାଖରେ କ୍ଷଣମାତ୍ର ଅବକାଶ ନାହିଁ। ମୁଁ ତ୍ରିଲୋକର ରାଜ୍ୟକାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ଆସକ୍ତ; ତେଣୁ ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ଉପଦେଶ ଦେଇପାରିବି ନାହିଁ।”
घतयाट्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how attachment to power and administrative burdens can crowd out higher instruction and spiritual counsel; it implicitly warns that even lofty sovereignty is a distraction if it leaves no time for dharma-teaching and inner cultivation.
A Brahmin approaches Prahmada seeking instruction, but Prahmada declines, stating he is fully occupied with the governance of the three worlds and lacks even a moment to offer counsel.