Shloka 13
The Eight Nidhis: Guna-Based Types of Wealth, Giving, Hoarding, and Public Benefit
कदन्नभुक्परिजनो न च शोभनवस्त्रधृक् / स्वपोषणपरः शङ्खी दद्यात्परनरे वृथा
kadannabhukparijano na ca śobhanavastradhṛk / svapoṣaṇaparaḥ śaṅkhī dadyātparanare vṛthā
Aquele cuja casa vive de alimento inferior, que não veste roupas decentes e só se ocupa de sustentar a si mesmo—tal avarento, ainda que dê esmola a outros, dá em vão, sem fruto.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Dana without basic responsibility—when one’s own dependents suffer—becomes fruitless; dharma begins with proper maintenance and non-harm.
Vedantic Theme: Karma’s inner intention (bhava) and coherence of conduct; hypocrisy (dambha) obstructs purification.
Application: Ensure fair provision for family/dependents before public charity; practice non-exploitative frugality; align giving with compassion and responsibility.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: household duties and proper dana as purifying; condemnation of hypocrisy (general thematic link)
FAQs
This verse stresses that dāna must be aligned with dharma: a person who neglects basic duties toward dependents and lives in stinginess makes even outward charity ineffective.
Merit is not only the act of giving but the intention and responsibility behind it; charity done from miserliness or while neglecting one’s own household obligations is described as vṛthā—without spiritual fruit.
Ensure basic care of family/dependents and cultivate generosity without hypocrisy; give sustainably and with sincere intent rather than as a show or while neglecting primary responsibilities.