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 ||
Sinabi ni Prahlāda: “O pinakamainam sa mga brāhmaṇa, kailanman ay hindi ko hinahamak ang mga ‘dalawang ulit isinilang’ dahil sa kapalaluan na ‘ako’y hari.’ Sa halip, kapag sila’y nagbibigay ng payo tungkol sa pamamahala at wastong asal, pinipigil ko ang sarili, nakikinig nang may disiplina, at itinatanghal sa aking ulo ang kanilang mga utos—tinatanggap nang may paggalang.”
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.