Shloka 20
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
प्रह्मादेन द्वतं राज्यं महेन्द्रस्य महात्मन: । शीलमाश्रित्य दैत्येन त्रैलोक्यं च वशे कृतम्
prahlādena hṛtaṃ rājyaṃ mahendrasya mahātmanaḥ | śīlam āśritya daityena trailokyaṃ ca vaśe kṛtam ||
“那大阿修罗普罗诃罗陀凭借自身的善行与严整的品格，夺取了大魂者摩诃因陀罗（因陀罗）的王权，并使三界尽归其掌控。”
घतयाट्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the potency of śīla (character and disciplined conduct) as a source of authority and influence. It also invites reflection on ethical ambiguity: virtue can empower, but the ends to which it is applied—such as conquest—must be judged within dharma.
The speaker states that Prahlāda, a Daitya, relied on his exemplary conduct to overpower Mahendra (Indra), taking his kingdom and subjugating the three worlds—depicting a reversal of cosmic political order achieved through personal merit.