Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 10
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 ||
毗湿摩说道：“随后，他自以为‘我就是因陀罗’，便为我慢所制。自那时起，大王啊，那位统治者一切正当的作为与有效的行动都开始枯萎，渐趋于无。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.