Shloka 19

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

Sumitra Itihāsa Begins

Devanagari script

घतयाट्र उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्‌ । नारदेन पुरा प्रोक्ते शीलमाश्रित्य भारत

Transliteration

dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṁ purātanam | nāradena purā prokte śīlam āśritya bhārata ||

Translation

持国王说道：“此处亦然，噢，婆罗多啊，人们援引一则古老的史事为证——那是往昔那罗陀在谈论善行（śīla）时所讲述的。”

Word by Word

• {'dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca': 'Dhṛtarāṣṭra said', 'atra api': 'here also

• in this matter too', 'udāharanti': 'they cite

• they adduce (as an example)', 'imam': 'this', 'itihāsam': 'traditional account

• ancient narrative/history', 'purātanam': 'ancient

• of old', 'nāradena': 'by Nārada (instrumental)', 'purā': 'formerly

• long ago', 'prokte': 'told

• narrated (past passive participle)', 'śīlam': 'conduct

• ethical disposition', 'āśritya': 'having taken refuge in

• with reference to', 'bhārata': 'O Bhārata (address to Yudhiṣṭhira)'}

Speaker

घतयाट्र उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Nārada
• Bhārata (Yudhiṣṭhira)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Ethical instruction is strengthened through precedent: the verse signals that a lesson on śīla (good conduct/character) will be supported by an authoritative ancient example, traditionally attributed to Nārada.

What is happening in the narrative?

Dhṛtarāṣṭra introduces an old illustrative tale (itihāsa) and notes that Nārada had earlier narrated it in the context of discussing śīla, preparing the listener (Yudhiṣṭhira) for a moral exemplum.