Shloka 9

The Eight Nidhis: Guna-Based Types of Wealth, Giving, Hoarding, and Public Benefit

Devanagari script

भुक्तभोगो गायनेभ्यो दद्याद्वेश्यादिकासु च / रजस्तमोमयो नन्दी आधारः स्यात्कुलस्य च

Transliteration

bhuktabhogo gāyanebhyo dadyādveśyādikāsu ca / rajastamomayo nandī ādhāraḥ syātkulasya ca

Translation

Nachdem er sich den Genüssen hingegeben hat, gibt er Gaben an Sänger und vergeudet Reichtum für Kurtisanen und dergleichen. Ein solcher Mensch—vorwiegend aus rajas und tamas—ist nur eine weltliche „Stütze“ der Familie, nicht ein wahrer Träger des Dharma.

Word by Word

भुक्तभोगःone who has enjoyed pleasures (i.e., has consumed enjoyments)

गायनेभ्यःto singers/bards

दद्यात्should give

वेश्यादिकासुamong prostitutes and the like

चand

रजस्तमोमयःconsisting of rajas and tamas

नन्दीNandin (name/being)

आधारःsupport, foundation

स्यात्would be/should be

कुलस्यof the family/lineage

चand

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rajas-tamas driven enjoyment and wasteful giving do not uphold kula-dharma; true support of family is ethical and sattvic.

Vedantic Theme: Guna-viveka (discerning sattva/rajas/tamas) and the bondage of kama; dharma as purifier of mind (citta-shuddhi).

Application: Audit spending and charity: prioritize sattvic dana (to worthy recipients, public good, dharmic causes) over vanity/pleasure-driven outflow; cultivate moderation and accountability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (dharma/achara sections): guna-based conduct and consequences of rajas-tamas; Garuda Purana (pretakalpa): rajas-tamas as causes of papa and lower destinations (general thematic link)

Characters & Entities

Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of controlling sensual indulgence in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames indulgence and wasteful giving as rajasic-tamasic behavior that weakens dharmic character, shaping one’s karmic trajectory rather than elevating it.

How does this verse relate to karma and the afterlife themes of the Garuda Purana?

In the Preta Kanda’s moral context, actions driven by rajas and tamas are presented as causes of unfavorable karmic outcomes, which later manifest in post-death experiences described elsewhere in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use wealth and influence for sattvic aims—duty, genuine charity, and self-restraint—rather than status-driven entertainment and compulsive pleasure, so one becomes a true support to family and society.