The Eight Nidhis: Guna-Based Types of Wealth, Giving, Hoarding, and Public Benefit
स्तुतः प्रीतो भवति वै बहुभार्या भवन्ति च / पूर्वमित्रेषु शैथिल्यं प्रीतिमन्यैः करोति च
stutaḥ prīto bhavati vai bahubhāryā bhavanti ca / pūrvamitreṣu śaithilyaṃ prītimanyaiḥ karoti ca
Khi được tán dương, người ấy quả thật sinh vui; lại có thể có nhiều vợ. Người ấy trở nên lơi lỏng nghĩa tình với bạn cũ, mà quay sang vun bồi ái tình với kẻ khác.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Attachment to praise breeds craving and instability—multiplying desires (including relationships) and weakening loyalty and gratitude.
Vedantic Theme: Ahamkara and lobha/kama fueled by rajas; asat-sanga leading to chitta-vikshepa (mental scattering).
Application: Cultivate equanimity toward praise/blame; practice fidelity and gratitude; maintain commitments to friends and mentors; reduce attention-seeking behavior.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Related Themes: Garuda Purana ethical sections on sadachara: steadiness, truthfulness, restraint (general thematic link)
This verse warns that praise can inflate ego and trigger desire-driven choices, leading to weakened loyalty and shifting attachments—hence it should be met with self-restraint and discernment.
By showing how craving for approval leads to indulgence and betrayal of prior bonds, it highlights subtle causes of adharmic action that later mature into karmic consequences.
Treat praise as information, not identity: stay steady in commitments, avoid flattery-driven decisions, and keep relationships guided by dharma rather than shifting gratification.