Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 130
धर्माचारात्प्रहीयंते न च सिध्यंति मानवाः । बुद्धिश्च हीयते पुंसां नीचैः सह समागमात्
dharmācārātprahīyaṃte na ca sidhyaṃti mānavāḥ | buddhiśca hīyate puṃsāṃ nīcaiḥ saha samāgamāt
ಧರ್ಮಾಚಾರದಿಂದ ಮಾನವರು ಕುಸಿದು, ಸಿದ್ಧಿ/ಸಮೃದ್ಧಿಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ನೀಚರ ಸಂಗದಿಂದ ಪುರುಷರ ಬುದ್ಧಿಯೂ ಕ್ಷೀಣವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) addressing the sages (deduced)
Scene: A figure walking from a bright path of dharma toward a darker crowd; above, a fading lamp symbolizes buddhi diminishing; in contrast, a distant āśrama glows as the alternative.
FAQs
Bad company erodes both dharmic behavior and clarity of mind, obstructing true success.
No tīrtha is named; it is universal dharma instruction relevant to all sacred travel and daily life.
None; the prescription is ethical—avoid degrading associations to protect dharma and intellect.