Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 4
देवा ऊचु मदास्यव्यतिषक्तानामस्माकं लोकपूजित । च्यवनेन हता भूमि: कपैश्नैव दिवं प्रभो
devā ūcuḥ madāsyavyatiṣaktānām asmākaṁ lokapūjita | cyavanena hatā bhūmiḥ kapaiś caiva divaṁ prabho ||
देवता बोले— “लोकपूजित प्रभो! जब हम मद के मुख में फँस गए थे, तब च्यवन ने हमारी भूमि छीन ली; और हे प्रभो, ‘कप’ नामक दानवों ने स्वर्ग पर अधिकार कर लिया।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of mada (pride/intoxication): when even the gods fall into heedlessness, they lose their rightful standing. Dharma is protected by humility and self-restraint; arrogance invites downfall and empowers adharma.
The gods recount to a revered lord that, having become ensnared by Mada, they were overcome by the sage Cyavana and lost their domain; simultaneously, the demon Kapa (and his forces) took control of heaven—showing a reversal of cosmic order caused by their lapse.