The wondrous chain of hope

āśā nāma manuṣyāṇāṃ kācid āścarya-śṛṅkhalā |
yayā baddhāḥ pradhāvanti muktās tiṣṭhanti paṅguvat ||


What a wondrous chain Hope is for mankind!
Those bound by it run free; 
Those free from it stand still, lamed.