Shloka 37
Gradations of Bliss and Knowledge; Lakṣmī’s Special Insight; The Rarity of Bhakti in Kali-yuga; Nīlā’s Vow and Śrīnivāsa Darśana
तदा नैव ह्यात्महत्यादिदोषाः स्त्रीणामेवं निर्णयोयं हि शास्त्रे / यद्भर्तारो न विजानन्ति विष्णुं तासां संगो नैव कार्यः कदापि
tadā naiva hyātmahatyādidoṣāḥ strīṇāmevaṃ nirṇayoyaṃ hi śāstre / yadbhartāro na vijānanti viṣṇuṃ tāsāṃ saṃgo naiva kāryaḥ kadāpi
Alors, pour les femmes, des fautes telles que l’autodestruction et autres semblables ne s’attachent pas (de la même manière) : telle est bien la conclusion des śāstra. Mais les femmes dont les époux ne connaissent pas Viṣṇu, il ne faut jamais s’y associer, à aucun moment.
Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Śāstric boundary on association (saṅga) based on Viṣṇu-jñāna/bhakti; claim of reduced/altered culpability in a specific female context is asserted as ‘śāstra-nirṇaya’.
Vedantic Theme: Saṅga as a cause of vāsanā; guarding the mind through sat-saṅga and avoidance of adharma-saṅga.
Application: Choose communities that support devotion and ethics; avoid relationships that consistently erode spiritual values; practice discernment without cruelty.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated emphasis on sat-saṅga and avoidance of pāpa-saṅga; bhakti-protective social counsel
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that association should be guided by devotion and dharma—keeping company aligned with Viṣṇu-bhakti is presented as spiritually protective, while unsuitable association is discouraged.
It frames scriptural nuance about how certain faults are assessed, and then pivots to a practical dharmic safeguard: avoid association where Viṣṇu-dharma is absent, as company influences conduct and values.
Choose communities and friendships that support ethical living, devotion, and self-discipline; avoid environments that normalize irreverence toward spiritual principles or undermine dharmic practice.