Shloka 126
धर्यवीर्यर्यश:शौर्यर्विक्रमेणीौजसापि वा । तदनन्तर राजा कार्तवीर्य अर्जुन सूर्य और अग्निके समान तेजस्वी रथपर बैठकर (सम्पूर्ण पृथ्वीपर विजय पानेके पश्चात्) बलके अभिमानसे मोहित हो कहने लगा--'बैर्य
dhairya-vīrya-yaśaḥ-śaurya-parākrameṇa ojasāpi vā | tad-anantaraṁ rājā kārtavīrya-arjunaḥ sūrya-agnī-sama-tejasvī ratha-pariṣad-āsīnaḥ (samasta-pṛthivī-vijayān-antaraṁ) bala-abhimāna-mohitaḥ uvāca— “dhairye vīrye yaśasi śaurye parākrame ca ojasi ca mama samaḥ kaḥ?”
Bhishma berkata: Selepas itu Raja Kārtavīrya Arjuna—bersinar seperti matahari dan api—duduk di atas keretanya; setelah menakluk seluruh bumi, baginda menjadi terpesona oleh kesombongan akan kekuatannya sendiri lalu mengisytiharkan: “Dalam keteguhan, kekuatan, kemasyhuran, kepahlawanan, keberanian, dan tenaga hayat—siapakah yang setara denganku?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse cautions that success and power can produce abhimāna (self-conceit). When a ruler measures himself only by strength, fame, and conquest, he becomes mohitātmā—ethically clouded—setting the stage for adharma and eventual reversal.
Bhīṣma narrates that after conquering the earth, King Kārtavīrya Arjuna, shining like sun and fire, sits on his chariot and boasts that no one equals him in steadfastness, prowess, fame, heroism, valor, and vigor.