Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 40
संबंधानाचरेन्नित्यमुत्तमैरुत्तमैः सुधीः । अधमानधमांस्त्यक्त्वा कुलमुत्कर्षतां नयेत्
saṃbaṃdhānācarennityamuttamairuttamaiḥ sudhīḥ | adhamānadhamāṃstyaktvā kulamutkarṣatāṃ nayet
A discerning person should always cultivate associations with the best among the noble; abandoning the base and the basest, one should lead one’s family-line toward excellence.
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.