Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 48
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
तस्मिन् द्विजोत्तमे राजन् वत्स्याम्यहमनिन्दिते । यो5सौ शिष्यत्वमागम्य त्वयि नित्यं समाहित:
tasmin dvijottame rājan vatsyāmy aham anindite | yo 'sau śiṣyatvam āgamya tvayi nityaṁ samāhitaḥ ||
那婆罗门说道：“大王啊，我将住入那位无可指摘、最为尊胜的婆罗门之身——他既已成为你的弟子，便日日恒常专注谨慎、以戒律之心侍奉于你。”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.