Human Nature - Comples Mix Of Good And Bad

Human nature, by default, is a blend.
A mixture of noble aspiration and hidden darkness.
Of dharma and desire.
Of restraint and restlessness.

Only a rare few — like Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, or some realized Rishis — are exceptions.
They are avatara purushas — divine manifestations, not bound by the inner tug-of-war that governs ordinary souls.
To compare them with humans is to compare the sun with a flickering lamp.

For the rest of us?

The very purpose of human life is this:
To rise above the lower self, to refine the soul, to grow the divine within, and gradually diminish the shadow.

This mixed human nature is not subtle — it's loud, clear, and ancient.

Let us look at two towering names from the early generations: Pururava and Nahusha.

Pururava — A Conqueror, Yet Corrupted by Power

He was born of Ila and Budha, a bright flame in the lineage of Vaivaswata Manu, the progenitor of all humans in this Manvantara.

• त्रयोदश समुद्रस्य द्वीपानश्नन् पुरूरवाः
  He ruled the thirteen islands encircled by oceans — in essence, the whole earth.

• अमानुषैः वृतः सत्त्वैः मानुषः सन् पुरूरवाः
  Though human, he was surrounded by celestial beings — Gandharvas, Yakshas — and even brought the sacred triple Agnis to earth.

But with all this came the poison of arrogance.

• वीर्योन्मत्तः पुरूरवाः — Intoxicated by power,

• He clashed with Brahmanas,

• Looted their wealth, not for need — but for ego.

• When Sanatkumara descended from Brahmaloka to guide him — he ignored him.

His downfall was inevitable. Rishis cursed him, and he disappeared into darkness.

Nahusha — From Dharma to Disaster

His grandson, Nahusha, was even greater — he rose high enough to become Indra, ruler of Swarga.

• He governed not just men, but Devas, Rishis, Pitrus, Gandharvas, Nagas, and Rakshasas.
  राज्यं शशास सुमहद् धर्मेण पृथिवीपते।

• He punished criminals. He upheld order.

But then... he crossed the line.

• He taxed the Rishis,

• Treated sages like beasts of burden, making them carry his palanquin.
  ऋषीन् करमदापयत्... पृष्ठे वाहयामास वीर्यवान्

• In arrogance, he kicked Sage Agastya when he didn’t move fast enough.

That was it.

Agastya cursed him. Nahusha fell from Swarga, transformed into a snake, and crashed back to earth.

The Warning Echoes:

Both stories carry one eternal truth:
Goodness must be consciously nurtured. Evil arrives on its own.

Especially when you gain power, position, or privilege,
The seeds of pride, entitlement, and cruelty begin to sprout.

What does arrogance do?
It erases your virtues,
It devours your merit,
And it guarantees your downfall.

Like termites in sandalwood, inner flaws quietly hollow out greatness —
Until the whole structure collapses in shame.

So what must one do?

Stay vigilant. Always.
Power tests character.
Respect must be earned, not demanded.
And dharma must be lived, not worn like a crown.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi