, Himavat, and that vast receptacle of waters, viz., the ocean, cannot, for its vastness, measure the extent of the firmament. Ye ascetics, similarly, I also cannot discern the limit of hope. Ye that are endued with wealth of penances are omniscient. There is nothing unknown to you. You are also highly blessed. I therefore solicit you for resolving my doubt. Hope as cherished by man, and the wide firmament, which of these two appears vaster to you? I desire to hear in detail what is so unconquerable to hope. If the topic be one upon which it is not improper for ye to discourse, then tell me all about it without delay. I do not wish, ye foremost of regenerate ones, to hear anything from you that may be a mystery improper to discourse upon. If again the discourse be injurious to your penances, I would not wish you to speak. If the question asked by me be a worthy topic of discourse, I would then wish to hear the cause in detail. Devoted to penances as ye are, do ye all instruct me on the subject.'"'"Mbh 12.126.1b · Mahabharata · SANTI PARVA
Mbh 12.126.1b
Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Themes in this passage
HopeDesireDevotionDoubtLoveNatureSpeechWealth
Hope in other traditions
The same theme, as Christianity, Islam and Hellenism address it.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?Romans 8:24 · Bible · Romans
Say: Can ye await for us aught save one of two good things (death or victory in Allah's way)? while we await for you that Allah will afflict you with a doom from Him or at our hands. Await then! Lo! We are awaiting with you.Quran 9:52 · Quran · Repentance
Fired by his words, the troops dismiss their fears, They join, they thicken, they protend their spears; Full on the Greeks they drive in firm array, And each from Ajax hopes the glorious prey: Vain hope! what numbers shall the field o’erspread, What victims perish round the mighty dead!Iliad 17.24 · Iliad · 17
Another said, “I hope he may be no more successful in other things than he is likely to be in stringing this bow.”Odyssey 21.39 · Odyssey · 21
See what all six traditions say about hope →
Search every tradition at once
Ask a question in your own words and see how six traditions answer it.