na hi duṣṭātmanḥ kasya sakhyam gacchati paṇḍitaḥ
“A learned person does not make friendship with an evil-minded person.”
Structure
na hi duṣṭa-ātmanḥ kasya sakhyam gacchati paṇḍitaḥ
paṇḍitaḥ (scholar) duṣṭa-ātmanḥ (of wicked mind) kasya (with whom) sakhyam (friendship) na hi gacchati (does not indeed form)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| duṣṭa-ātmanḥ | duṣṭātmanḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "duṣṭo ātmā yaṣṭaḥ" | of evil nature |
| kasya | kasya | pronoun | genitive · singular | of whom |
| sakhyam | sakhyam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | friendship |
| gacchati | gacchati | verb | √gam · present · third | he goes |
| paṇḍitaḥ | paṇḍitaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the learned one |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the importance of satsaṅga, or association with the wise, in the pursuit of Self-realization. According to Śaṅkara, the company of the wicked can lead to the obscuration of one's true nature, which is non-dual consciousness. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkara writes, 'The association with the good leads to the increase of knowledge, and the association with the wicked leads to the destruction of knowledge' (Bhagavad Gītā 16.8). This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity by underscoring the need for sādhana, or spiritual practice, to realize one's true nature. Śaṅkara's non-dual reading emphasizes that the ultimate reality is beyond the dichotomy of good and evil, and that the wise person transcends such distinctions.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse underscores the significance of choosing one's companions wisely, as it can either facilitate or hinder one's devotional progress. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, comments on the importance of cultivating friendships that foster bhakti, or loving devotion to Īśvara. The verse implies that a learned person, who is devoted to Īśvara, will naturally avoid the company of those who are evil-minded, as it would hinder their devotional growth. The relationship between jīva and Īśvara is one of dependence, and the company of the wicked can disrupt this relationship. Rāmānujācārya would likely interpret this verse as emphasizing the need for the jīva to cultivate friendships that support their devotion to Īśvara, thereby fostering a deeper sense of dependence and loving surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse offers a universal and practical message, emphasizing the importance of choosing one's associations wisely. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, writes, 'If you want to be a yogi, you must be careful about your company' (Complete Works, Vol. 1). This verse highlights the need for discernment in one's relationships, recognizing that the company of the wicked can have a corrosive effect on one's character. Vivekānanda would likely interpret this verse as pointing to the importance of cultivating a strong sense of self-awareness and moral character, recognizing that one's associations can either support or undermine one's personal growth and spiritual development. In contemporary life, this verse serves as a reminder of the need to be mindful of the company we keep, and to cultivate relationships that uplift and inspire us.