Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
ते विश्रब्धा: प्रभाषन्ते संयच्छन्ति च मां सदा । ते मां काव्यपथे युक्त शुश्रुषुमनसूयकम्
te viśrabdhāḥ prabhāṣante saṃyacchanti ca māṃ sadā | te māṃ kāvyapathe yuktaṃ śuśrūṣum anasūyakam ||
Prahlāda disse: “Esses brâmanes, confiando em mim, falam comigo com liberdade; e continuamente me mantêm contido no autocontrole. Veem-me dedicado ao caminho do conselho sábio, pronto a servir e livre de procurar defeitos. Assim, não cessam de instruir-me—como se me aspergissem com palavras dos śāstras, semelhantes ao néctar—tal como as abelhas umedecem um favo com os sucos das flores.”
प्रह्माद उवाच
Ethical formation comes through humble receptivity: one should be non-censorious (anasūyaka), eager to serve and listen (śuśrūṣu), and accept disciplined restraint (saṃyama) from wise teachers; such guidance is portrayed as ‘nectar’ that nourishes character.
Prahlāda describes his relationship with brahmin advisers/teachers: because they trust him, they speak openly and continually guide him toward self-control and right conduct, enriching him with śāstric instruction.