Shloka 10
Dhūpa–Dīpa–Bali Phala Praśna; Nahūṣa–Agastya–Bhṛgu Saṃvāda
Incense, Lamp, and Bali Offerings; the Nahūṣa Dialogue
अथेन्द्रोड5हमिति ज्ञात्वा अहंकारं समाविशत् । सर्वाश्वैव क्रियास्तस्य पर्यहीयन्त भूपते:
athendro ’ham iti jñātvā ahaṅkāraṃ samāviśat | sarvāś caiva kriyās tasya paryahīyanta bhūpate ||
Namun kemudian, dengan mengira, “Akulah Indra,” ia dikuasai oleh keakuan. Sejak saat itu, wahai Raja, segala laku yang benar dan daya guna tindakan sang penguasa mulai merosot, layu, dan menjadi sia-sia.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a ruler (or anyone) identifies with supreme power—‘I am like Indra’—ego takes over, and even capable, dharmic action loses its efficacy. Pride becomes the cause of decline.
Bhishma describes a turning point: the person addressed becomes intoxicated with self-importance, imagining himself Indra. As a consequence, his works and initiatives begin to fail and diminish, signaling moral and practical downfall.