Shloka 34
Brahmā’s Discourse to Mohinī
Harivāsara, Desire, and the Satya-Test of Rukmāṅgada
स्तवनान्नरकं याति विशुद्धोऽपि च मानवः । तथापि स्तवनं ब्रह्मन् कर्तव्यं कार्यहेतुना ॥ ३४ ॥
stavanānnarakaṃ yāti viśuddho'pi ca mānavaḥ | tathāpi stavanaṃ brahman kartavyaṃ kāryahetunā || 34 ||
स्तवनात् नरकं याति विशुद्धोऽपि मानवः; तथापि ब्रह्मन्, कार्यहेतोः स्तवनं कर्तव्यमेव॥
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It warns that praise motivated by self-interest or deceit can become a moral fault with grave karmic consequences, even for an otherwise virtuous person, and it redirects speech toward dharmic intention.
It distinguishes sincere, purpose-aligned glorification from manipulative flattery—implying that true stuti in bhakti should be grounded in purity of intent and dharmic necessity, not personal gain.
It reflects the applied discipline of correct usage and intention in speech—aligned with Vyākaraṇa (proper expression) and broader śāstric sadācāra—showing that words have karmic weight depending on motive.