Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
तस्मिन् द्विजोत्तमे राजन् वत्स्याम्यहमनिन्दिते । यो5सौ शिष्यत्वमागम्य त्वयि नित्यं समाहित:,'राजन्! अब मैं उस अनिन्दित श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणके शरीरमें निवास करूँगा, जो प्रतिदिन तुम्हारा शिष्य बनकर यहाँ बड़ी सावधानीके साथ रहता था”
tasmin dvijottame rājan vatsyāmy aham anindite | yo 'sau śiṣyatvam āgamya tvayi nityaṁ samāhitaḥ ||
برہمن نے کہا—“اے راجن! اب میں اُس بے عیب، برتر برہمن کے جسم میں سکونت اختیار کروں گا—جو تمہارا شاگرد بن کر ہر روز ہمیشہ پوری یکسوئی اور ضبط کے ساتھ تمہاری خدمت میں لگا رہتا تھا۔”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of disciplined discipleship: steadiness (samāhita) and continual attentiveness in service to one’s teacher/king are presented as marks of blameless conduct and spiritual worth.
A Brahmin addresses a king and declares his intention to reside in (or identify with) the body/person of a blameless, foremost Brahmin—specifically the one who had consistently lived as the king’s devoted disciple, remaining ever composed and careful in his duties.