Shloka 14
Raivataka-giri Mahotsava and the Counsel on Subhadrā’s Marriage (रैवतके महोत्सवः — सुभद्राविवाहोपायविचारः)
वरप्रदानमत्तौ तावौरसेन बलेन च । धनरत्नमदाभ्यां च सुरापानमदेन च,एक तो वे दुर्लभ वरदानके मदसे उन्मत्त थे, दूसरे उनपर अपने स्वाभाविक बलका नशा सवार था। इसके सिवा धनमद, रत्नमद और सुरापानके मदसे भी वे उन्मत्त हो रहे थे
varapradānamattau tāv auraseṇa balena ca | dhana-ratna-madābhyāṁ ca surāpāna-madena ca ||
Nārada said: “Those two were intoxicated—one with the pride of having received a rare boon, the other with the arrogance of innate, hereditary strength. Beyond that, they were further maddened by the vanity of wealth, the conceit of jewels, and the intoxication born of drinking liquor.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that multiple forms of mada—pride from boons, strength, wealth, jewels, and alcohol—cloud judgment and push a person away from dharma. It highlights the ethical need for restraint and humility, since power and prosperity easily become causes of moral blindness.
Nārada describes two individuals whose behavior is being driven by layered intoxications: one exults in a rare boon, the other in natural strength, and both are further inflamed by wealth, precious possessions, and drinking. This sets up a moral explanation for their ensuing misconduct or downfall.