Shloka 25
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 1 — The Pandavas’ Exit from Gajasāhvaya and the Citizens’ Lament (जनमेजयप्रश्नः; पाण्डवानां वनप्रस्थानम्)
मोहजालस्य योनिर्हि मूढेरेव समागम: । अहन्यहनि धर्मस्य योनि: साधुसमागम:,“मूढ मनुष्योंसे मिलना-जुलना मोहजालकी उत्पत्तिका कारण होता है। इसी प्रकार साधु-महात्माओंका रंग प्रतिदिन धर्मकी प्राप्ति करानेवाला है
mohajālasya yonir hi mūḍhair eva samāgamaḥ | ahany ahani dharmasya yoniḥ sādhusamāgamaḥ ||
المخالطةُ بذرةُ الحالِ الباطن: فمُجالسةُ الضالّين تُنشئ شِباكَ الحيرة، أمّا صحبةُ الأبرار يومًا بعد يوم فتصير عينَ المصدر الذي يُنال منه الدَّرما ويشتدّ به عوده.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
One’s character and clarity are shaped by companionship: association with the deluded breeds further delusion, whereas regular association with the virtuous steadily generates and nourishes dharma.
Vaiśampāyana delivers a reflective maxim within the Vana Parva’s opening context, emphasizing the ethical importance of choosing one’s company as a practical means to cultivate dharma.