Shloka 21
The Nature of Knowledge, the Guru as Living Tīrtha, and the Law of Final Remembrance
कुंजल उवाच । संसर्गाज्जायते पापं संसर्गात्पुण्यमेव हि । तस्माद्विवर्जयेच्छुद्धो भव्यं विरुद्धमेव च
kuṃjala uvāca | saṃsargājjāyate pāpaṃ saṃsargātpuṇyameva hi | tasmādvivarjayecchuddho bhavyaṃ viruddhameva ca
Kuṃjala berkata: Daripada pergaulan lahir dosa; daripada pergaulan juga lahir pahala. Maka orang yang berhati suci hendaklah menjauhi pergaulan dengan yang tidak wajar dan yang bertentangan dengan dharma.
Kuṃjala
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संसर्गाज्जायते = संसर्गात् + जायते; संसर्गात्पुण्यमेव = संसर्गात् + पुण्यम् + एव; विवर्जयेच्छुद्धो = विवर्जयेत् + शुद्धः; विरुद्धमेव = विरुद्धम् + एव
FAQs
It teaches that a person’s moral state is strongly shaped by companionship: association can generate both sin and merit, so one should consciously avoid harmful or unrighteous company.
By stating that merit arises from association, it supports the principle of satsaṅga—keeping company with the virtuous to cultivate dharma, clarity, and right conduct.
“Viruddha” implies what is contrary to dharma—conduct, influences, or relationships that oppose ethical living—hence to be avoided by one seeking purity.