Shloka 12
अगस्त्य-वातापि-उपाख्यानम्
Agastya and Vātāpi: Ilvala’s stratagem; Lopāmudrā’s emergence
दर्पाभिभूतान् कौन्तेय क्रियाहीनानचेतस: । मानाभिभूतानचिराद् विनाश: समपद्यत,इस प्रकार लज्जा, संकोच और सदाचारसे हीन एवं निष्फल व्रतका आचरण करनेवाले उन असुरोंको क्षमा, लक्ष्मी और स्वधर्मने शीघ्र त्याग दिया। राजन! लक्ष्मी देवताओंके पास चली गयी और अलक्ष्मी असुरोंके यहाँ। अलक्ष्मीके आवेशसे युक्त होनेपर उनका चित्त दर्प और अभिमानसे दूषित हो गया। उस दशामें उन दैत्यों और दानवोंमें कलिका भी प्रवेश हो गया। जब वे दानव अलक्ष्मीसे संयुक्त, कलिसे तिरस्कृत और अभिमानसे अभिभूत हो सत्कर्मोंसे शून्य, विवेकरहित और मानसे उन्मत्त हो गये, तब शीघ्र ही उनका विनाश हो गया
darpābhibhūtān kaunteya kriyāhīnān acetasaḥ | mānābhibhūtān acirād vināśaḥ samapadyata ||
Lomaśa said: “O son of Kuntī, when beings are overpowered by arrogance, devoid of right action, and lacking discernment—when they are seized by pride—destruction soon befalls them. Thus those Asuras, bereft of modesty, restraint, and good conduct, were quickly abandoned by forbearance, prosperity, and their own dharma. Prosperity went over to the gods, while misfortune settled among the Asuras. Under the sway of misfortune their minds were tainted by insolence and conceit; in that condition even Kali entered them. When they became joined to misfortune, scorned by Kali, overwhelmed by pride, empty of virtuous deeds, without discrimination, and intoxicated by self-regard, their ruin came swiftly.”
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
Arrogance and pride, coupled with the absence of right conduct and discernment, rapidly lead to downfall; prosperity aligns with dharma, while misfortune and moral decay follow when dharma is abandoned.
Lomaśa instructs Yudhiṣṭhira by describing how the Asuras, once overtaken by Alakṣmī (misfortune), became corrupted by pride; Kali entered their condition of decline, and, bereft of good deeds and judgment, they soon met destruction.