Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 40
संबंधानाचरेन्नित्यमुत्तमैरुत्तमैः सुधीः । अधमानधमांस्त्यक्त्वा कुलमुत्कर्षतां नयेत्
saṃbaṃdhānācarennityamuttamairuttamaiḥ sudhīḥ | adhamānadhamāṃstyaktvā kulamutkarṣatāṃ nayet
বিবেচক ব্যক্তি সর্বদা শ্রেষ্ঠদের মধ্যে শ্রেষ্ঠের সঙ্গে সঙ্গতি করবে। নীচ ও অতিনীচকে ত্যাগ করে নিজের কুলকে উৎকর্ষের পথে নিয়ে যাবে।
Skanda
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: A discerning pilgrim-sage at a Kāśī ghāṭ chooses to sit among learned brāhmaṇas reciting Veda while turning away from gamblers and quarrelers; behind him, a family tree motif blossoms upward as ‘kula-utkarṣa’.
FAQs
Character and destiny are shaped by company; noble association strengthens dharma and uplifts one’s household.
Kāśī is the textual setting; the verse supports the idea that a pilgrim should seek sādhus and righteous communities in the kṣetra.
No ritual; it prescribes ethical social discipline—seeking good company and avoiding degrading associations.