Shloka 20
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
प्रह्मादेन द्वतं राज्यं महेन्द्रस्य महात्मन: । शीलमाश्रित्य दैत्येन त्रैलोक्यं च वशे कृतम्
prahlādena hṛtaṃ rājyaṃ mahendrasya mahātmanaḥ | śīlam āśritya daityena trailokyaṃ ca vaśe kṛtam ||
தைத்தியன் பிரஹ்லாதன் சீலத்தை ஆதாரமாகக் கொண்டு மகாத்மா மகேந்திரனின் அரசாட்சியைப் பறித்து, மூவுலகையும் தன் வசப்படுத்தினான்.
घतयाट्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the potency of śīla (character and disciplined conduct) as a source of authority and influence. It also invites reflection on ethical ambiguity: virtue can empower, but the ends to which it is applied—such as conquest—must be judged within dharma.
The speaker states that Prahlāda, a Daitya, relied on his exemplary conduct to overpower Mahendra (Indra), taking his kingdom and subjugating the three worlds—depicting a reversal of cosmic political order achieved through personal merit.