Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 17
The Forest of Material Existence: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
तैर्वञ्चितो हंसकुलं समाविश- न्नरोचयन् शीलमुपैति वानरान् । तज्जातिरासेन सुनिर्वृतेन्द्रिय: परस्परोद्वीक्षणविस्मृतावधि: ॥ १७ ॥
tair vañcito haṁsa-kulaṁ samāviśann arocayan śīlam upaiti vānarān taj-jāti-rāsena sunirvṛtendriyaḥ parasparodvīkṣaṇa-vismṛtāvadhiḥ
Dahil nalinlang sila, ang nilalang kung minsan ay nais lumapit sa samahan ng tunay na mga deboto—gaya ng lipi ng mga gansa—ngunit sa kamalasan ay hindi niya masunod ang tagubilin ng gurong espirituwal at ng mga dakilang deboto. Kaya iniiwan niya ang kanilang samahan at bumabalik sa mga ‘unggoy’ na abala lamang sa pagkalugod ng pandama at sa babae; nalulunod sa pita at paglalasing, sinasayang niya ang buhay at, sa pagtitig sa mukha ng kapwa mapagpasasa, nalilimot ang wakas at lumalapit sa kamatayan.
Sometimes a foolish person becomes disgusted with bad association and comes to the association of devotees and brāhmaṇas and takes initiation from a spiritual master. As advised by the spiritual master, he tries to follow the regulative principles, but due to misfortune he cannot follow the instructions of the spiritual master. He therefore gives up the company of devotees and goes to associate with simian people who are simply interested in sex and intoxication. Those who are so-called spiritualists are compared to monkeys. Outwardly, monkeys sometimes resemble sādhus because they live naked in the forest and pick fruits, but their only desire is to keep many female monkeys and enjoy sex life. Sometimes so-called spiritualists seeking a spiritual life come to associate with Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees, but they cannot execute the regulative principles or follow the path of spiritual life. Consequently they leave the association of devotees and go to associate with sense gratifiers, who are compared to monkeys. Again they revive their sex and intoxication, and looking at one another’s faces, they are thus satisfied. In this way they pass their lives up to the point of death.
FAQs
This verse teaches that even after entering saintly company, one can be misled by deceptive influences and, by association, adopt lower habits—becoming complacent in the senses and forgetting life’s true purpose.
Swans symbolize refined, discriminating saintly persons, while monkeys symbolize restless, sense-driven behavior; the contrast highlights how association can elevate or degrade one’s character.
Choose daily company and content carefully—friends, media, and environments—because repeated exposure shapes desires and habits; prioritize sādhus, scripture, and disciplined routines to avoid drifting into distraction and complacency.