na hi duṣṭeneva sahet vyāghreṇa pathikaḥ kada cana .
“A traveller should never stay with a wicked man, just like he should not stay with a tiger.”
Structure
na hi duṣṭena eva sahate vyāghreṇa pathikaḥ kada cana
pathikaḥ (traveler) kada cana (at any time) duṣṭena (with a wicked one) eva (only) vyāghreṇa (with a tiger) sahate (endures) na hi (not indeed)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for|indeed |
| duṣṭena | duṣṭena | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with a wicked one|by a wicked person |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only|just |
| sahate | sahate | verb | √sah · present · third | endures|tolerates |
| vyāghreṇa | vyāghreṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with a tiger |
| pathikaḥ | pathikaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | traveler |
| kada | kada | indeclinable | — | when|ever |
| cana | cana | indeclinable | — | and|or|even |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the imperative of discernment in one's associations, emphasizing the dangers of consorting with the wicked, akin to the perils of dwelling with a tiger. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, notably discusses the importance of satsanga, or the company of the virtuous, as a means to realize the ultimate reality. The non-dual reading of this verse points towards the brahman-ātman identity, where the association with wicked individuals can obscure one's understanding of this fundamental unity, much like how a tiger's presence endangers one's physical well-being. In the context of this verse, the focus on avoiding harm (to both oneself and others) resonates with Śaṅkarācārya's advocacy for cultivating virtues like non-violence (ahimsā) as part of the path to self-realization.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is interpreted through the lens of bhakti, or devotion, where the avoidance of evil company is seen as a form of self-protection to preserve one's devotion to the Lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of prapatti, or surrender, which includes avoiding harmful influences that could divert one from the path of devotion. The relationship between jīva (the individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord) is central, where the jīva's association with the wicked can hinder its natural inclination towards Īśvara. Thus, by steering clear of evil company, the devotee safeguards their connection with the divine, much like a traveler would avoid a tiger to ensure safe passage.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse is seen as universally applicable, cautioning against the influence of negative thoughts and environments that can hinder personal growth and spiritual development. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often discussed the importance of cultivating inner strength and resilience, which includes being discerning about one's associations. The practical application of this verse lies in recognizing the impact of our surroundings on our character and actions, and taking steps to surround ourselves with positivity and virtue. This aligns with Vivekānanda's emphasis on self-empowerment and the potential for every individual to achieve greatness by following their dharma, or righteous duty, and avoiding harmful influences that could lead them astray.