Shloka 22
Kālin̄dī’s Austerity; True Tapas and Prāyaścitta; Kṛṣṇa’s Grace and Marriage
संगैः सदा दुर्जनानां मुरारे गात्रं दग्धं न विरागेण युक्तम् / एतादृशाहं कां गातिं वा मुकुन्द यास्ये न जाने दयया मां च पाहि
saṃgaiḥ sadā durjanānāṃ murāre gātraṃ dagdhaṃ na virāgeṇa yuktam / etādṛśāhaṃ kāṃ gātiṃ vā mukunda yāsye na jāne dayayā māṃ ca pāhi
O Murāri, durch ständige Gemeinschaft mit den Schlechten fühlt sich mein ganzes Wesen wie verbrannt, und mir fehlt die Entsagung. In solchem Zustand, o Mukunda, welchem Geschick gehe ich entgegen? Ich weiß es nicht — aus Mitgefühl beschütze auch mich.
Garuda (Vinata-putra) addressing Lord Vishnu (Mukunda)
Concept: Without vairagya, the jiva is burned by asat-sanga and becomes uncertain of gati; only divine compassion and refuge in Mukunda can protect and redirect destiny.
Vedantic Theme: Sharanagati and grace (kripa) as decisive when self-effort is weakened; recognition of bondage as inner heat and confusion.
Application: When habits and environments keep pulling one down, explicitly seek refuge: prayer, confession, guidance from satsanga, and structured practice to cultivate vairagya.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: emphasis on sharanagati to Vishnu as protection from fear and bad gati (general thematic parallel)
FAQs
This verse states that constant association with wicked people “scorches” one’s being and prevents the rise of vairāgya, thereby endangering one’s gati (spiritual destiny).
It links one’s after-death destination (gati) to present-life character formation: without detachment and purification, produced by right association, the soul’s course becomes uncertain and perilous, requiring divine protection.
Cultivate satsanga (uplifting company), reduce habits and circles that normalize adharma, and consciously seek refuge in Mukunda through prayer, mantra, and ethical living.