Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 28
अधमानधमांस्त्यक्त्वा कुलमुत्कर्षतां नयेत् । उत्तमानुत्तमानेव गच्छेद्धीनांश्च वर्जयेत् । ब्राह्मणः श्रेष्ठतामेति प्रत्यवायेन शूद्रताम्
adhamānadhamāṃstyaktvā kulamutkarṣatāṃ nayet | uttamānuttamāneva gaccheddhīnāṃśca varjayet | brāhmaṇaḥ śreṣṭhatāmeti pratyavāyena śūdratām
Abandonando a companhia vil e ignóbil, deve-se conduzir a própria linhagem à excelência. Que se busque apenas os melhores e mais nobres, evitando os degradados. Um brāhmaṇa alcança eminência pela reta conduta; mas, por transgressão e declínio, cai a um estado inferior.
Unspecified (Dharmāraṇyakhaṇḍa narrative voice; traditionally framed within Sūta’s discourse in Purāṇic setting)
Scene: A forked path: one road leads upward to a bright assembly of noble elders; the other slopes downward into a dim crowd of ignoble companions. A brāhmaṇa figure stands choosing, holding a scripture and water-pot.
FAQs
Character and association shape spiritual and social standing; noble conduct elevates, while persistent transgression causes decline.
No sacred site is named; the emphasis is on dhārmic society and conduct as a living ‘field’ of merit.
No ritual is prescribed; the injunction is ethical—seek the virtuous, avoid corrupting company, and uphold one’s dharma.