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 |
یوں کہتا اور اسی طرح پوچھتا ہوا وہ راجا اس زمین پر گھومتا پھرتا رہا۔ عظیم غرور کے نشے میں مست ہو کر وہ کسی دوسرے کا خیال تک نہ کرتا تھا۔
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.