Shloka 8
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
इति ब्रुवन्नन्वचचरत् स राजा पृथिवीमिमाम् | दर्पेण महता मत्त: कंचिदन््यमचिन्तयन्,“इसी प्रकार पूछते हुए वे राजा दम्भोद्धव महान् गर्वसे उन्मत्त हो दूसरे किसीको कुछ भी न समझते हुए इस पृथ्वीपर विचरने लगे
iti bruvann anvacacarat sa rājā pṛthivīm imām | darpeṇa mahatā mattaḥ kañcid anyam acintayan |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Sa pagsasalita nang gayon at patuloy na pagtatanong sa gayong paraan, ang hari ay naglibot sa ibabaw ng daigdig na ito. Lasing sa napakalaking pagmamataas, hindi niya inisip ang sinuman—na para bang wala nang ibang karapat-dapat pag-ukulan ng pagtingin.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that darpa (arrogant pride) produces a kind of intoxication (mattaḥ) that blocks discernment and empathy. A ruler who stops considering others becomes ethically unmoored, making him prone to adharma and poor governance.
After speaking in the described manner, the king continues his course, roaming the earth while questioning/boasting. His immense pride leaves him indifferent to others, suggesting a character state that sets up conflict and moral failure.