Shloka 9
Arjuna’s Account of Tapas and the Kirāta Test; Revelation of Maheśvara and the Grant of the Pāśupata-Astra
सर्वसामर्थ्यलिप्सूनां पापो भवति निश्चय: । अधर्मज्ञोडवलिप्तश्न बालबुद्धिरमर्षण:
sarvasāmarthyalipsūnāṁ pāpo bhavati niścayaḥ | adharmajño 'ḍavaliptaś ca bālabuddhir amarṣaṇaḥ ||
Among those who crave complete power and capability, a sinful resolve inevitably arises. Such a person becomes one who does not understand dharma, is puffed up with pride, childish in judgment, and intolerant—unable to bear restraint or correction.
धनद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unrestrained craving for total power tends to generate a fixed sinful intention, leading to loss of dharma-awareness, arrogance, immature judgment, and intolerance; ethical life requires restraint and humility.
Dhanada (Kubera) delivers a moral observation, warning that the hunger for absolute capability/power corrupts character and undermines dharma, describing the traits that follow from such ambition.