Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 166
ब्रह्मस्वहरण-निषेधः — Prohibition of Appropriating Brahmin Property
Brahmasva
अभिमानेन भूतानामिमां गतिमुपागतम् | आप मेरे इस पापी कुत्तेको देखिये
abhimānena bhūtānām imāṁ gatim upāgatam | paśyata me imaṁ pāpīṁ śvānam, kāntihīnaṁ śvetam durbalaṁ ca | eṣa pūrvaṁ manuṣya āsīt | sarvabhūteṣu abhimānaṁ kṛtvā asyāṁ durgatau prāptaḥ ||
旃陀罗说道：“正因对一切众生怀傲慢之心，他才落到这般境地。你看我这条可怜的狗——黯然无光，苍白羸弱。它从前原是人身；但因对万类生灵自高自大，遂堕入这凄惨的下场。”
चाण्डाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Arrogance toward other beings is ethically corrosive and karmically dangerous; pride (abhimāna) leads to degradation, while humility and regard for all creatures support dharma.
A Caṇḍāla points out a weak, pale dog and explains that it was formerly a human who, due to pride toward all beings, has fallen into a miserable condition—serving as a moral example within the discourse.