Shloka 76
Self-Knowledge and the Allegory of the Five Elements & Senses
Karma, Association, and Rebirth
ध्यानेन च महात्मासौ तेषां संगतिमागतः । स तैः प्रमोहितस्तत्र रागद्वेषादिभिस्तदा
dhyānena ca mahātmāsau teṣāṃ saṃgatimāgataḥ | sa taiḥ pramohitastatra rāgadveṣādibhistadā
ಧ್ಯಾನದಿಂದ ಆ ಮಹಾತ್ಮನು ಅವರ ಸಂಗತಿಗೆ ಬಂದನು; ಆದರೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಆ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರು ರಾಗ-ದ್ವೇಷಾದಿಗಳಿಂದ ಅವನನ್ನು ಮೋಹಗೊಳಿಸಿದರು.
Unspecified narrator (context not provided to fix a named speaker)
Concept: Meditation without right discernment and right company can still be overrun by rāga-dveṣa; saṅga shapes consciousness.
Application: Audit your ‘company’—people, media, habits—because even sincere practice can be hijacked by likes/dislikes. Pair meditation with ethical restraint and devotional remembrance.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditating ascetic enters a circle of alluring yet shadow-faced figures who whisper into the air like smoke—each whisper forming symbols of rāga and dveṣa that coil around his heart-lotus. The aura of meditation flickers like a lamp in wind, showing how subtle influences can eclipse inner clarity.","primary_figures":["a great-souled meditator","personified Rāga (attachment)","personified Dveṣa (aversion)","a surrounding company of deluding influences"],"setting":"Twilight grove with a half-ruined pavilion; a meditation seat at the center, encircled by figures and drifting thought-forms","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["smoky violet","lamp gold","peacock green","charcoal black","pale sandalwood"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central yogin with a faint gold halo, surrounded by ornate but ominous figures personifying rāga-dveṣa, swirling decorative thought-vines, gold leaf highlights on the fading aura, rich reds/greens contrasted with dark shadows, temple-arch framing to emphasize moral drama","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate twilight grove, subtle facial expressions of temptation and confusion, cool purples and greens, lyrical smoke-like patterns forming rāga-dveṣa motifs, refined linework showing the yogin’s wavering composure","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized personifications of rāga and dveṣa with symbolic attributes, rhythmic circular composition around the meditator, earthy pigments, temple-wall narrative clarity","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: circular mandala-like composition where lotus motifs are invaded by thorny vines labeled rāga/dveṣa, deep blue ground with gold detailing, peacocks and floral borders turned slightly asymmetrical to suggest disturbance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["low wind","distant drum pulse","rustling leaves","faint temple bell fading","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महात्मासौ = महात्मा + असौ; संगतिमागतः = संगतिम् + आगतः; प्रमोहितस्तत्र = प्रमोहितः + तत्र; रागद्वेषादिभिस्तदा = रागद्वेषादिभिः + तदा
FAQs
It warns that even a noble person may be misled when influenced by others, as attachment (rāga) and aversion (dveṣa) can overpower clarity.
The verse suggests that through inner focus one may be drawn toward certain company or influences—indicating that mental orientation can shape the circles one enters.
Choose association carefully: harmful company can intensify rāga-dveṣa and cause confusion, while wise company supports discernment and steadiness.