Shloka 7
तथातिव्ययशीलैश् च परिवादरतैः शठैः बुधो मैत्रीं न कुर्वीत नैकः पन्थानम् आश्रयेत्
tathātivyayaśīlaiś ca parivādarataiḥ śaṭhaiḥ budho maitrīṃ na kurvīta naikaḥ panthānam āśrayet
Likewise, the wise should not grow intimate with those addicted to wasteful excess, delighting in slander, and given to deceit. Nor should one take up many ways at once; let one hold to a single, steady path.
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Practical dharma: whom to associate with and how to maintain steadiness amid Kali-yuga
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: compassionate
Concept: Avoid intimacy with wasteful, slanderous, deceitful people, and follow a single, steady path rather than scattered pursuits.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Limit exposure to gossip and impulsive spending; commit to one coherent sādhana and a stable ethical routine.
Vishishtadvaita: Single-pointedness (ekāgratā) supports bhakti and surrender to the Supreme as the integrating center of life.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse frames association (saṅga) as a direct cause of moral decline: extravagance, slander, and deceit corrupt discernment, so the wise avoid intimacy with such traits to protect dharma and inner steadiness.
Parāśara stresses consistency: one should not scatter oneself across many conflicting ways, but adopt a clear, steady course aligned with dharma—socially and spiritually.
Though Vishnu is not named here, the teaching supports Vaishnava dharma: purity of conduct and disciplined focus are presented as prerequisites for living in harmony with the cosmic order upheld by Vishnu as Supreme Sovereign.