Shloka 34
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
प्रह्माद उवाच नासूयामि द्विजान् विप्र राजास्मीति कदाचन । काव्यानि वदतां तेषां संयच्छामि वहामि च
Prahlāda uvāca: nāsūyāmi dvijān vipra rājāsmīti kadācana | kāvyāni vadatāṁ teṣāṁ saṁyacchāmi vahāmi ca ||
ପ୍ରହ୍ଲାଦ କହିଲେ—“ହେ ବିପ୍ରଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ! ‘ମୁଁ ରାଜା’ ଏହି ଅହଂକାରରୁ ମୁଁ କେବେ ଦ୍ୱିଜମାନଙ୍କୁ ନିନ୍ଦା କରେନି। ସେମାନେ ନୀତି ଓ ସଦାଚାରର ଉପଦେଶ ଦେଲେ, ମୁଁ ସଂୟମ ରଖି ଶୁଣେ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ଆଜ୍ଞାକୁ ଶିରୋଧାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରେ।”
प्रह्माद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal power should be governed by humility and self-restraint: a king must not insult the learned (dvijas/brāhmaṇas) out of pride, but should listen to their ethical and political counsel and uphold it respectfully.
Prahlāda is describing his own conduct as a ruler: he rejects arrogance based on kingship and explains that when brāhmaṇas offer instruction (counsel on right conduct and governance), he controls himself, listens carefully, and accepts their guidance with reverence.