Shloka 166
ब्रह्मस्वहरण-निषेधः — Prohibition of Appropriating Brahmin Property
Brahmasva
अभिमानेन भूतानामिमां गतिमुपागतम् | आप मेरे इस पापी कुत्तेको देखिये
abhimānena bhūtānām imāṁ gatim upāgatam | paśyata me imaṁ pāpīṁ śvānam, kāntihīnaṁ śvetam durbalaṁ ca | eṣa pūrvaṁ manuṣya āsīt | sarvabhūteṣu abhimānaṁ kṛtvā asyāṁ durgatau prāptaḥ ||
The Caṇḍāla said: “Because of pride toward living beings, he has come to this condition. Look at this wretched dog of mine—lusterless, pale, and weak. He was once a human. But, having harbored arrogance toward all creatures, he has fallen into this miserable state.”
चाण्डाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Arrogance toward other beings is ethically corrosive and karmically dangerous; pride (abhimāna) leads to degradation, while humility and regard for all creatures support dharma.
A Caṇḍāla points out a weak, pale dog and explains that it was formerly a human who, due to pride toward all beings, has fallen into a miserable condition—serving as a moral example within the discourse.