Hope Against Hope
Expressions researched:
"hope against hope"
|"hoped against hope"
|"hopes against hope"
|"hoping against hope"
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta
CC Antya-lila
CC Antya 17.54, Translation and Purport:
Suddenly, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became calm and considered His state of mind. He remembered the words of Piṅgalā, and this aroused an ecstasy that moved Him to speak. Thus He explained the meaning of the verse.
Piṅgalā was a prostitute who said, "To hope against hope produces only misery. Utter hopelessness is the greatest happiness." Remembering this statement, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became ecstatic. The story of Piṅgalā is found in (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Eleventh Canto, Eighth Chapter, verses 22–44), as well as in the Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva, Chapter 174.