Shloka 44
Mohinī-ākhyāna: The Trial of Ekādaśī and the King’s Satya-saṅkalpa
वरं मद्यस्य संस्पर्शो नास्य संगो नृपस्य वै । वरं नीलांबरस्पर्शो नास्य धर्मच्युतस्य हि ॥ ४४ ॥
varaṃ madyasya saṃsparśo nāsya saṃgo nṛpasya vai | varaṃ nīlāṃbarasparśo nāsya dharmacyutasya hi || 44 ||
Besser ist schon die bloße Berührung von Wein als der Umgang mit einem König; besser ist die Berührung eines blauen Gewandes als die Gemeinschaft mit einem, der vom Dharma abgefallen ist.
Narada (instructional voice within Uttara-Bhaga teachings on dharma and conduct)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It teaches that moral and spiritual contamination comes more from close association with power-driven or dharma-fallen people than from incidental external contact; therefore one should prioritize satsanga and dharmic company.
Bhakti depends on inner purity and steady dharma; the verse warns that asatsanga (especially with those who distort dharma) undermines devotion, while careful companionship supports remembrance of Bhagavan and righteous conduct.
It highlights practical dharma-niti and sadachara: choosing association wisely as a daily discipline; while not a technical Vedanga lesson, it aligns with smriti-based conduct that supports mantra-japa, vrata, and worship by preserving purity.