Chapter LIII - Traits of conduct of men marked by the several kinds of Nidhis

Suta said:—Thus did Brahma describe the eight Nidhis^[1] as he had heard from Vishnu. They are Padma, Maha-Padma, Makara, Kachchapa, Mukunda, Nanda, and Nila. And the other Nidhi is Sangkha. I will now describe their characteristic marks. A person, bearing the mark of Padma, becomes Svattvika (pervaded by the quality of goddess). He is compassionate by nature, collects gold, silver, etc., and dedicates them to Yatis, celestials and ascetics. A person, bearing the mark Mahapadma, gives away wealth unto the pious. Persons, bearing the marks of Padma and Maha-Padma Nidhis, are called Svattvika. A person, bearing the mark of Makara, becomes the collector of swords, arrows and lances. He gives away wealth unto persons, well-read in Shrutis and contracts friendship with kings. He also destroys his enemies in battle. Makara and Kachchapa are the two Tamasik (pervaded by the quality of ignorance) Nidhis. One, bearing the mark of Kachchapa, does not confide in any one and does not eat; nor does he give anything to any one. That singular person, bearing the mark of this Niddhi, fills the earth with treasures.

A person, bearing the mark of the Rajasik (pervaded by the quality of darkness) Nidhi Mukunda, becomes the collector of kingdoms. He enjoys freely and liberally and makes presents to the songsters and prostitutes. A person, bearing the mark of Nanda pervaded by the qualities of darkness and ignorance, becomes the support of his family, always pleased with eulogy and the husband of many wives. He loses affection for his former friends and finds delight in new ones. One, bearing the mark of Nila, is endued with the virtues of Svattva guna. He collects clothes and corns and digs tanks, etc. The Niddhi Sangka is selfish and himself squanders away his money. His relatives live on a very wretched fare and do not put on beautiful raiments. One, bearing the mark of Sangka, is always busy with seeking his own pleasure and does not give his money to any one else. The characters of these Nidhis were thus described by Hari unto Hara and others. I describe the treasures of the world as recounted by Hari.