Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 17
Ṛṣabhadeva Instructs His Sons: Tapasya, Mahātmā-Sevā, and Cutting the Heart-Knot
कस्तं स्वयं तदभिज्ञो विपश्चिद् अविद्यायामन्तरे वर्तमानम् । दृष्ट्वा पुनस्तं सघृण: कुबुद्धिं प्रयोजयेदुत्पथगं यथान्धम् ॥ १७ ॥
kas taṁ svayaṁ tad-abhijño vipaścid avidyāyām antare vartamānam dṛṣṭvā punas taṁ saghṛṇaḥ kubuddhiṁ prayojayed utpathagaṁ yathāndham
若有人处于无明之中而沉迷轮回之路，真正有学识、具慈悲并通达灵性之人，怎会让他从事求果之业而使其更深陷缚？如同盲人走上歧途，君子怎能任其继续走向危险并加以认可？
FAQs
This verse teaches that a truly wise person will not knowingly push someone deeper into ignorance; instead, out of compassion, one should avoid directing a misguided person onto a harmful path.
Ṛṣabhadeva was instructing His sons on dharma and spiritual discernment—emphasizing that leadership and influence must be compassionate and should elevate others rather than exploit their confusion.
Do not use your influence to encourage harmful habits or false ideas; instead, guide others gently toward clarity, ethics, and spiritually beneficial choices—especially when they are vulnerable or uninformed.