Understanding modulus math for RSA
You have to understand how the modulus operation works. When we say $a=b\mod c$, what we mean is that $a-b$ is a multiple of $c$. Now, since for any positive integer $n$, $a^n-b^n$ is a multiple of $a-b$, we can usually raise both sides to the same power in a modular equation, keeping $c$ intact. However, if $a-b$ is a multiple of $c$, there is no guarantee that $a^n-b^n$ is a multiple of $c^n$. Hence, raising $c$ to the same power makes no sense. I hope this answers your question. For a better understanding of elementary number theory, you can go through the initial chapters of a high-school text (like Burton's).