It is said that God likes Stuti (prayer that praises God). Does that mean, that like ordinary people, God also likes and wants to hear His praises which then pleases Him?

Stuti means praising the true good qualities of another. Lord Vishnu likes stuti. It is true that there is nothing sweeter than praise.

However, Lord Vishnu liking stuti does not mean that God likes to hear His praises, otherwise, there will be no difference between us and God.

In fact, it means that God is pleased when you praise a truly praiseworthy quality in another person. You must do this. Praise the intellect, broad-heartedness, good qualities, etc. you see in another person. God encourages us to do so.

We are very quick at badmouthing the bad qualities or something done wrongly by others. In fact, hatred for another makes us see the bad even when good is done by them.

Even the Government awards those who do great work. This is the right thing to do. God is pleased.

Hence the term ‘stuti priyo viṣnuḥu‘

Which means praising the good and true qualities in those who truly deserve this.

If you do not praise those who are praiseworthy then you will become slaves of those who do not deserve this.

Do you know what will happen if you flatter those who do not deserve (such as flatter the miserly as generous as well as those who are busy filling their pockets) and conversely do not praise the praiseworthy?

Sometimes we butter people unnecessarily due to our selfish needs. A society that does this suffers in three ways:

1. There is scarcity of things such as wealth, food, good management, education and goodwill.
2. There is destruction in the society.
3. The society is filled with fear.

Thus, respect and felicitate people when they are alive for their good work without hesitation instead of only paying tributes when they die.

Even at Sandipani, we pay our respects and award those who deserve every year.

Hence, performing stuti does not mean God really likes listening to His praises. No! it means to praise, respect and award those who truly deserve it whilst they are alive.