na hi duṣṭātmanaḥ kasya sakhyaṁ cintayet kva cit atha yathā na sidhyed evam asiddhaiḥ saha krīḍitum
“One should never consider friendship with an evil-minded person, and similarly one should not try to play with those who are not accomplished, for it will not end well.”
Structure
na hi duṣṭātmanaḥ kasya sakhyaṁ cintayet kva cit atha yathā na sidhyet evam asiddhaiḥ saha krīḍitum
na (not) hi (indeed) duṣṭātmanaḥ (of an evil-minded person) kasya (of whom) sakhyaṁ (friendship) cintayet (should one think) kva cit (anywhere) atha (now) yathā (in which way) evam (thus) na sidyet (may not succeed) asiddhaiḥ (with the unsuccessful) saha (together) krīḍitum (to play)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| duṣṭātmanaḥ | duṣṭātmanaḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of one whose mind is corrupted |
| kasya | kasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | whose |
| sakhyaṁ | sakhyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | friendship |
| cintayet | cintayet | verb | √cint · optative · third | one should think of |
| kva | kva | indeclinable | — | where, anywhere |
| cit | cit | indeclinable | — | (emphasizes kva) |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then, in that case |
| yathā | yathā | indeclinable | — | so that, in order that |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| sidhyet | sidhyet | verb | √sidh · optative · third | it may not succeed |
| evam | evam | indeclinable | — | thus, in this way |
| asiddhaiḥ | asiddhaiḥ | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | with those who are not successful |
| saha | saha | indeclinable | — | with |
| krīḍitum | krīḍitum | verb | √krīḍ · infinitive | to sport or play |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, na hi duṣṭātmanaḥ kasya sakhyaṁ cintayet kva cit, underscores the importance of discernment in human relationships. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond the duality of good and evil. However, in the realm of relative existence, one must be cautious in choosing companions. The company of an evil-minded person can lead to the cultivation of negative tendencies, which in turn can obscure the realization of the brahman-ātman identity. The verse asidhaiḥ saha krīḍitum suggests that playing or associating with those who are not accomplished or are of poor character will not yield positive results. This aligns with Śaṅkarācārya's emphasis on the cultivation of virtues and the avoidance of vices as a means to realize the non-dual Self. In his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, Śaṅkarācārya highlights the importance of satsaṅga, or the company of the good, in facilitating spiritual growth and self-realization.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The verse na hi duṣṭātmanaḥ kasya sakhyaṁ cintayet kva cit is particularly relevant in the context of the Vaiṣṇava tradition's emphasis on bhakti, or devotion. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, discusses the importance of associating with devotees of the Lord, as this can facilitate spiritual growth and intensify one's love for God. Conversely, the company of an evil-minded person can lead to a decrease in devotion and an increase in worldly attachments. The warning against playing or associating with those who are not accomplished (asidhaiḥ saha krīḍitum) can be seen as a caution against the influence of those who are not dedicated to the path of devotion. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the Lord's instruction to Arjuna to avoid the company of the wicked, as it can lead to spiritual downfall. This verse thus serves as a reminder of the importance of carefully choosing one's company in order to deepen one's devotion to Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a universal message that transcends sectarian boundaries. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of choosing one's companions wisely. He noted that the company we keep has a profound impact on our character and our spiritual growth. The warning against associating with those who are not accomplished (asidhaiḥ saha krīḍitum) can be seen as a call to discernment in our relationships, encouraging us to surround ourselves with individuals who uplift and inspire us. In contemporary life, this verse can be applied to the choices we make about the media we consume, the social groups we participate in, and the individuals we spend time with. As S. Radhakrishnan noted in his writings, the goal of human life is to realize our full potential and to cultivate a sense of inner peace and fulfillment. This verse reminds us that the company we keep is an essential factor in achieving this goal, and that we must be mindful of the influences that shape our thoughts, feelings, and actions.