Go-apahāra (Cattle Theft), Go-dāna (Cow-Gift), and Suvarṇa-dakṣiṇā (Gold Fee): Karmic Consequence and Purificatory Merit
सता समागम: सद्िर्नाफल: पार्थ विद्यते | विमुक्तं नरकात् पश्य नृगं साधुसमागमात्
satā samāgamaḥ sadbhir nāphalaḥ pārtha vidyate | vimuktaṃ narakāt paśya nṛgaṃ sādhusamāgamāt ||
Ô Pārtha, la fréquentation des vertueux n’est jamais sans fruit. Vois le roi Nṛga : il fut délivré de l’enfer par le seul contact des justes. Le vers souligne qu’une brève rencontre avec des hommes de bien peut devenir un tournant moral décisif, capable d’arracher aux plus lourdes conséquences de la faute.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
The verse teaches that satsanga—association with virtuous people—inevitably yields beneficial results. It can purify one’s destiny and even undo severe karmic suffering, illustrating the transformative power of moral company.
A brāhmaṇa speaker addresses Pārtha (Arjuna) and points to King Nṛga as an example: Nṛga is said to have been released from hell due to contact with righteous persons, offered as evidence that meeting the good is never in vain.