Shloka 13
Dharma-sāra: Dāna-mahātmyam, Karma-vāda, and the Conquest of Grief and Greed
देवता मुनयो नागा गन्धर्वा गुह्यका हर / धार्मिकं पूजयन्तीह न धनाढ्यं न कामिनम्
devatā munayo nāgā gandharvā guhyakā hara / dhārmikaṃ pūjayantīha na dhanāḍhyaṃ na kāminam
Here, the gods, sages, nāgas, gandharvas, the guhyakas, and even Hara honor the righteous—never one who is merely wealthy, nor one driven by desire.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)
Concept: Dharma—not wealth (dhana) nor desire-driven life (kama)—is the true basis of honor, recognized even by gods and higher beings.
Vedantic Theme: Primacy of guna and conduct over external upadhi; nishkama orientation as purifier of mind.
Application: Choose integrity over status; evaluate leaders and self by conduct; cultivate nishkama service and restraint from kama-driven decisions.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: moral-social sphere (sabha/locale of honor)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana ethical passages praising dharmika and condemning kama-lobha as causes of fall
FAQs
This verse states that even divine and semi-divine beings honor a person established in dharma, implying that righteousness—not status—creates true spiritual worth and lasting merit.
In the Garuda Purana’s framework, dharmic conduct builds punya (merit) that supports the being beyond death, whereas wealth or desire alone does not secure honor, protection, or a favorable course after passing.
Prioritize truthful, restrained, and duty-based living; use wealth ethically rather than as identity, and reduce compulsive desire—because lasting respect (human and spiritual) follows character, not possessions.