Shloka 70
Nīti-saṅgraha: Conduct, Association, Kali-yuga Decline, and the Supremacy of Vidyā
अम्भसः परिमाणे उन्नतं कमलं भवेत् / स्वस्वामिना बलवता भृत्यो भवति गर्वितः
ambhasaḥ parimāṇe unnataṃ kamalaṃ bhavet / svasvāminā balavatā bhṛtyo bhavati garvitaḥ
Sejauh kadar air bertambah, setinggi itu teratai menjulang. Demikian pula, seorang pelayan menjadi congkak ketika ditopang oleh tuannya sendiri yang kuat.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra; attribution may vary by recension)
Concept: Status and pride often rise in proportion to external support; dependence on a powerful patron inflates ego.
Vedantic Theme: Anātma-āśraya (reliance on externals) breeds ahaṅkāra; true steadiness comes from inner grounding rather than borrowed power.
Application: Cultivate humility when backed by authority; remember that power is contingent; treat subordinates and dependents with fairness to prevent arrogance.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: waterbody
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (general): moral aphorisms on pride, status, and the instability of worldly support
FAQs
This verse warns that pride often grows from external support (like a powerful patron), so one should cultivate humility independent of status or backing.
By highlighting pride as a character flaw that can distort conduct, it indirectly points to inner discipline as essential for a righteous life that supports a better post-death trajectory.
Do not let associations, authority, or institutional power inflate ego; practice accountability and modesty even when protected or promoted by influential people.