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
Maka, bagi wanita, cela seperti memusnahkan diri dan seumpamanya tidak melekat (dalam keadaan demikian)—inilah keputusan yang ditegaskan oleh śāstra. Namun wanita yang suaminya tidak mengenal Viṣṇu, janganlah sekali-kali bergaul dengan mereka pada bila-bila masa.
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.