Shloka 8
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
इति ब्रुवन्नन्वचचरत् स राजा पृथिवीमिमाम् | दर्पेण महता मत्त: कंचिदन््यमचिन्तयन्
iti bruvann anvacacarat sa rājā pṛthivīm imām | darpeṇa mahatā mattaḥ kañcid anyam acintayan |
قال فايشَمبايانا: وهكذا وهو يتكلم ويعاود السؤال على ذلك النحو، أخذ الملك يطوف بهذه الأرض. وقد سكر بكبرياء عظيم، فلم يعد يلتفت إلى أحدٍ سواه، كأنه لا يرى في الناس من يستحق الاعتداد.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that darpa (arrogant pride) produces a kind of intoxication (mattaḥ) that blocks discernment and empathy. A ruler who stops considering others becomes ethically unmoored, making him prone to adharma and poor governance.
After speaking in the described manner, the king continues his course, roaming the earth while questioning/boasting. His immense pride leaves him indifferent to others, suggesting a character state that sets up conflict and moral failure.