Shloka 28
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
Devanagari script
स ततो ब्राह्मुणो भूत्वा प्रहादं पाकशासन: । गत्वा प्रोवाच मेधावी श्रेय इच्छामि वेदितुम्
Transliteration
sa tato brāhmaṇo bhūtvā prahrādaṁ pākaśāsanaḥ | gatvā provāca medhāvī śreya icchāmi veditum ||
Translation
于是，帕迦沙娑那（因陀罗）化作婆罗门之形，前往普罗诃罗陀处。那智者说道：“大王，我愿知‘舍利耶’——何者为真实之利、至上之善。”
Word by Word
सःhe
सः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
ततःthen/from there
ततः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः
ब्राह्मणःa brahmin
ब्राह्मणः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootब्राह्मण
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
भूत्वाhaving become
भूत्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootभू
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral here)
प्रह्लादम्Prahlada
प्रह्लादम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootप्रह्लाद
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
पाकशासनःIndra (Punisher of Paka)
पाकशासनः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootपाकशासन
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
गत्वाhaving gone
गत्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootगम्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral here)
प्रोवाचsaid/spoke
प्रोवाच:
TypeVerb
Rootवच्
Formलिट् (Perfect), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada
मेधावीwise/intelligent
मेधावी:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootमेधाविन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
श्रेयःthe good/the highest good
श्रेयः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootश्रेयस्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
इच्छामिI desire
इच्छामि:
TypeVerb
Rootइष्
Formलट् (Present), 1st, Singular, Parasmaipada
वेदितुम्to know
वेदितुम्:
TypeVerb
Rootविद्
Formतुमुन् (infinitive)
Speaker
घतयाट्र उवाच
Characters & Entities
I
Indra (Pākaśāsana)P
PrahlādaB
Brāhmaṇa (disguise/form)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classical ethical inquiry: the pursuit of śreyas—true, lasting good—over transient aims. It sets up a discussion on right conduct and the principles that lead to genuine welfare.
Indra, taking the form of a brāhmaṇa, approaches King Prahlāda and asks him to explain śreyas—what should be regarded as the highest good—thereby initiating a didactic dialogue.