Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 13
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
This verse shows that pride in one’s form and opulence can lead to offending saints, and such aparādha brings severe karmic reactions—here, a fall into a lower birth as a serpent.
To confess the cause of his condition: he was cursed due to mocking the sages Virūpa and Aṅgirā, illustrating how offenses to ṛṣis can transform one’s destiny.
Cultivate humility, avoid ridiculing saintly or sincere spiritual people, and treat spiritual authority with respect—because arrogance and contempt create long-lasting consequences.