O sage Kraustuki, listen as the eight treasures, the great bestowers of wealth among men, are described. Among them are the Padma and Mahapadma, Makara and Kacchapa, Mukunda, Nandaka, Nīla, and Shankha—the eighth treasure. When prosperity is present, these treasures manifest in their fullness, and from them, success arises. Thus, these eight treasures have been revealed to you. By the grace of the gods and through association with the virtuous, a person's wealth is seen to arise in these ways. Now, hear in detail the nature of each treasure. Long ago, there was a treasure called Padma. Whoever possesses Padma, O twice-born one, finds that generosity governs him, not only in his own life but also in his sons, grandsons, and their descendants. This treasure is rooted in sattva, pure and of great enjoyment. It brings the acquisition of gold, silver, copper, and other metals. The one endowed with Padma becomes greatly engaged in buying and selling these metals, performing sacrifices, and giving gifts. With this intent, he builds assembly halls and temples for the gods. Another treasure, Mahāpadma, is also based in sattva. Whoever is governed by Mahāpadma becomes predominated by sattva and acquires gems such as padmarāga and others. He deals in pearls and corals and provides dwellings for those devoted to yoga. This conduct arises naturally in him, and his sons and grandsons inherit the same disposition. He retains only his former prosperity and never abandons his people. The treasure called Makara, however, is known as tamasic. A man, though of good conduct, becomes mostly dominated by darkness under its influence. He acquires arrows, swords, bows, and animal hides, and deals in biting weapons. He forms alliances with kings and gives gifts to those of heroic conduct, dear to rulers. His pleasure lies only in buying and selling weapons, and this treasure belongs to him alone, not passing on to his sons. For the sake of wealth, he may perish at the hands of robbers or in battle. Then there is the treasure called Kacchapa, observed in such a man. This too is a tamasic treasure, and the man becomes dominated by darkness. Yet, by merit, he engages in all kinds of dealings, though he reveals nothing of his activities to anyone. Like a tortoise drawing in its limbs, he withdraws his mind, neither giving nor enjoying, anxious and fearful of loss. He buries his treasure in the earth, and it remains his alone. Mukunda is another treasure, composed of rajas. A man influenced by Mukunda acquires its qualities, gaining musical instruments like the vīṇā, flute, and drum. He arranges for singing and provides for dancers, bards, charioteers, jesters, and graceful performers. He gives and enjoys pleasures day and night with such people, developing a passion for courtesans and others of similar kind. He attends gatherings, and whichever man the treasure chooses, another great treasure named Nanda, composed of rajas and tamas, follows him. A man looked upon by Nanda attains great pride, acquiring all kinds of metals, gems, and auspicious grains. He takes possession of these and engages in trade, supporting his own people as well as those who come and go. He cannot tolerate even the slightest insult, but when praised, he forms and bestows great affection. Whatever desire he wishes for, he attains with gentleness. He has many wives, fertile and exceedingly beautiful. For the sake of pleasure, the treasure Nanda follows seven men; but when it departs, it leaves a man with only one-eighth of its benefit. It grants long life to all those men, providing for relatives and even those who have come from afar. Nanda does these things for them in the other world, but is not respected, and no real affection arises among those who dwell together. He becomes indifferent to former friends and forms new attachments. In the same way, the great treasure that possesses sattva and rajas acts. That treasure is called Nīla. A man associated with Nīla acquires textiles, cotton, grains, fruits, and flowers. He gains pearls, coral, conch shells, mother-of-pearl, and other things produced from water, as well as wood and similar goods. He delights in buying and selling these, and nothing else pleases his mind. He constructs ponds, reservoirs, and gardens, builds dams for rivers, and plants trees. After enjoying unguents, flowers, and the like, he is born again. There is also a treasure called Nola, which lasts for three generations; and another, composed of rajas and tamas, is known as Śaṅkha. By the influence of the Shankha treasure, a man is endowed with its qualities, but it belongs to only one person and does not pass to another. He who possesses the conch, O Krauṣṭuki, listen to its nature: he alone eats the best food and wears the finest clothes, keeping these for himself. His attendants eat inferior food and wear no fine garments. He does not give generously to his wife, brothers, sons, daughters-in-law, or others; the man with the conch treasure always seeks only his own maintenance. Thus, these eight treasures are known as the wealth-giving deities among men, each shaping the nature and destiny of those whom they favor.