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 ||
ビーシュマは言った。「だがその後、『我こそインドラである』と思い込んだとき、彼は我慢(エゴ)の支配に落ちた。そこから先、王よ、その支配者の正しい企てと実りある行いは、しだいに萎え、ついには無に帰していった。」
भीष्म उवाच
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.