Shloka 26
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 1 — The Pandavas’ Exit from Gajasāhvaya and the Citizens’ Lament (जनमेजयप्रश्नः; पाण्डवानां वनप्रस्थानम्)
तस्मात् प्राजजैश्न वृद्धैश्न सुस्वभावैस्तपस्विभि: । सद्िश्व सह संसर्ग: कार्य: शमपरायणै:,“इसलिये दिद्दवानों, वृद्ध पुरुषों तथा उत्तम स्वभाववाले शान्तिपरायण तपस्वी सत्पुरुषोंका संग करना चाहिये
tasmāt prājñaiś ca vṛddhaiś ca susvabhāvaiḥ tapassvibhiḥ | sadbhiś ca saha saṃsargaḥ kāryaḥ śamaparāyaṇaiḥ ||
Karena itu, siapa pun yang berpegang pada ketenteraman batin hendaknya membina pergaulan dengan orang bijak dan para lanjut usia, dengan pertapa yang berbudi luhur, serta dengan orang-orang baik; sebab pergaulan demikian meneguhkan laku dan menuntun pada dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A person aiming at peace and self-mastery should deliberately seek the company of the wise, elders, ascetics, and the virtuous, because such association shapes character and supports dharmic living.
Vaiśaṃpāyana states a general ethical instruction within the Vana Parva context, emphasizing that right conduct is strengthened through close association with calm, disciplined, and virtuous people.