Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 72
गङ्गामाहात्म्य — The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
अहो कष्टतरा लोके दुर्जनानां हि संगतिः । कारुकैस्ताड्यते वह्निरयः संयोगमात्रतः ॥ ७२ ॥
aho kaṣṭatarā loke durjanānāṃ hi saṃgatiḥ | kārukaistāḍyate vahnirayaḥ saṃyogamātrataḥ || 72 ||
అహో, లోకంలో దుర్జనుల సంగతి అత్యంత కష్టదాయకము; ఇనుముతో సంయోగమాత్రమునే కార్మికులు అగ్నినికూడా కొడతారు।
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It teaches that association (saṅga) powerfully affects one’s inner state: keeping company with the wicked brings suffering and moral harm, so seekers should choose satsanga to protect dharma and spiritual clarity.
Bhakti is nourished by pure influences; avoiding durjana-saṅga prevents the mind from being agitated by harmful speech and habits, making it easier to remember Vishnu and maintain steady devotion.
No specific Vedanga technique is taught; the verse uses a craft analogy (smiths striking fire in ironwork) to convey a dharmic principle: outcomes arise from association, so disciplined social and mental “inputs” are essential for practice.