Shloka 26

Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation

Sumitra Itihāsa Begins

Devanagari script

तेनापि समनुज्ञातो भार्गवेण महात्मना | श्रेयोडस्तीति पुनर्भूय: शुक्रमाह शतक्रतु:,महात्मा भार्गवने जब उन्हें उपदेश दे दिया, तब इन्द्रने पुनः शुक्राचार्यसे पूछा--'क्या इससे भी विशेष श्रेय है"?

Transliteration

tenāpi samanujñāto bhārgaveṇa mahātmanā | śreyo 'sti iti punar bhūyaḥ śukram āha śatakratuḥ ||

Translation

ครั้นได้รับคำสอนและอนุญาตจากมหาตมะภารควะแล้ว อินทราผู้ประกอบยัญร้อยครั้งก็ทูลถามศุกราจารย์อีกว่า “ยังมีศฺเรยสที่ยิ่งกว่านี้อีกหรือไม่?”

Word by Word

• तेन: by him/thereby
• तेन: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• अपि: also/even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• समनुज्ञातः: having been permitted/approved
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-अनु-ज्ञा
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular, क्त (past passive participle)

• भार्गवेण: by Bhārgava (Śukra)
• भार्गवेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार्गव
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• महात्मना: by the great-souled one
• महात्मना: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• श्रेयः: the better/good (highest good)
• श्रेयः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रेयस्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• उदस्ति: exists/is there
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-अस्
• Form: Present, 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• इति: thus (quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति

• पुनर्भूयः: again, once more
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनर्भूयस्

• शुक्रम्: Śukra (Śukrācārya)
• शुक्रम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक्र
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• आह: said/asked
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह्
• Form: Perfect, 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• शतक्रतुः: Śatakratu (Indra)
• शतक्रतुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: शतक्रतु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

घतयाट्र उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Śatakratu)
• Śukra (Bhārgava, Śukrācārya)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the pursuit of śreyas—the highest, most enduring good. Even after receiving instruction, a sincere seeker continues to ask whether there is a still higher ethical and spiritual good, indicating humility and commitment to deeper dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

After being permitted and instructed by the great Bhārgava (Śukra), Indra speaks again to Śukra and asks whether there exists something superior—an even greater form of welfare or right course—showing an ongoing dialogue aimed at refining understanding of the best path.