Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 12
Ambikā-vana Śiva-pūjā; Nanda Saved from the Serpent; Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain
सर्प उवाच अहं विद्याधर: कश्चित्सुदर्शन इति श्रुत: । श्रिया स्वरूपसम्पत्त्या विमानेनाचरन् दिश: ॥ १२ ॥ ऋषीन् विरूपाङ्गिरस: प्राहसं रूपदर्पित: । तैरिमां प्रापितो योनिं प्रलब्धै: स्वेन पाप्मना ॥ १३ ॥
sarpa uvāca ahaṁ vidyādharaḥ kaścit sudarśana iti śrutaḥ śriyā svarūpa-sampattyā vimānenācaran diśaḥ
The serpent replied: I am a Vidyādhara known as Sudarśana. Endowed with opulence and beauty, I used to roam in all directions in my celestial airplane. Once, proud of my appearance, I mocked some plain sages of the lineage of Aṅgirā, and by that sin they made me fall into this lowly birth.
FAQs
Sudarśana is a Vidyādhara who had celestial beauty and traveled in a vimāna, but later became a serpent due to a curse (explained in the following verse).
He is introducing his true identity—Sudarśana the Vidyādhara—so the listeners understand that his serpent form is temporary and the result of karma, not his original nature.
External splendor and status can foster pride; the Bhagavatam warns that such pride can lead to downfall, so one should cultivate humility and devotion instead of self-conceit.