Shloka 39
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
एतावच्छेय इत्याह प्रह्मादो ब्रह्मवादिनम् । शुश्रूषितस्तेन तदा दैत्येन्द्रो वाक्यमब्रवीत्,इतना ही श्रेय है, यह बात प्रह्नादने उस ब्रह्मवादी ब्राह्मगसे कहा। इसके बाद भी उसके सेवा-शुश्रूषा करनेपर दैत्यराजने उससे यह बात कही--
etāvac chreya ity āha prahrādo brahmavādinam | śuśrūṣitas tena tadā daityendro vākyam abravīt ||
Sinabi ni Prahlāda sa brāhmaṇa na nakatuon sa banal na pagtalakay: “Hanggang dito ang tunay na pinakamataas na kabutihan.” Ngunit kahit siya’y napaglingkuran at naalagaan nang may paggalang, ang panginoon ng mga Daitya ay nagsalita pa ng mga susunod na salita.
प्रह्माद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds śreyas—true welfare or the highest good—as the aim of instruction, and implies that humility and service (śuśrūṣā) prepare a person to receive deeper ethical guidance beyond an initial summary.
Prahrāda addresses a brahmavādin, stating that “this much is the highest good.” Despite the brahmavādin’s continued attentive service, the Daitya lord then proceeds to speak further, indicating a continuation or deepening of the counsel.