Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 18
ब्रह्मस्वहरण-निषेधः — Prohibition of Appropriating Brahmin Property
Brahmasva
अन्यस्मिज्जन्मनि विभो ज्ञानविज्ञानपारग: । अभवं तत्र जानानो होतान् दोषान् मदात् सदा
anyasmij janmani vibho jñānavijñānapāragaḥ | abhavaṁ tatra jānāno hotān doṣān madāt sadā ||
“噢，主宰啊，在另一世中，我曾通达学识与证悟的辨慧。然而即便明知醉狂所生的过失，我仍因骄慢与迷妄而一再犯之。”
चाण्डाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even high learning and discernment do not automatically prevent ethical failure; pride and intoxication (mada) can overpower knowledge. The verse stresses humility and self-restraint as necessary complements to wisdom.
The Chandala, speaking to a divine or exalted addressee (“vibho”), recounts a prior birth: despite being accomplished in knowledge and insight, he knowingly fell into repeated faults caused by mada, highlighting confession and moral reflection.