But if the rat is seen as Vahan of Vinayaka, we make obeisance to it. Bad qualities are also like this. If we take a big pot full of milk and add even a few drops of liquor to it the milk will become bad. Fire, which is regarded as sacred entity gets hammered when it is in contact with a lump of iron. Thus by bad company we get several troubles and sorrows and by good company we get good qualities. If we take a piece of iron and throw it in the dust, it will get rusted and will lose its value. However, if the same iron is put in fire it loses its impurities and acquires a bright shining look. If dust comes in contact with wind, it will go high up although it has no wings to fly. The same dust flows to the lowest depths when it comes into contact with water. Thus, the company we keep determines whether we go up or down. Good company results in a calm and peaceful life. (SSB 1978, p. 80)
When a wicked son is born, the code of morality will be corroded. When a cyclone starts its career, the clouds shudder in fear. The company of bad men is the prelude to the disappearance of wisdom. The company of good men makes wisdom blossom. (RKRV Part II, p. 109)
Traits like modesty and devotion to God are real jewels for womankind. Women preserve the traditional values of a culture and keep the nation on an even keel. A woman is honoured as the Goddess of Wealth in a home, as the companion in the pilgrimage towards God and Self-realisation and as the mistress of the home. If the woman of a country is happy, healthy and holy, the man of the county will be hardy, honest and happy. (Ddd, p. 69)
When the mental resolutions take a bad turn and when you are in the company of bad one, your condition becomes worse on account of plus getting added to plus. The result is disaster, when your intentions and resolutions are good, and when you join the company of the good, you can progress fast. The company of the good is like the noontime shadow. It is short in the beginning but lengthens as the evening comes on. The company of the bad one is like the morning shadow. It is long when the day dawns, shorter and shorter as the noon approaches. The comradeship and conversation of the undesirable appear sweet and profound in early stages but its effect is only pollution of minds and hearts. Sankaracharya has emphasised the value of the company of the good to persons on the spiritual path, for it leads man to immortality.
From Good Company to No-Company
From No-Company to No-Desire
From No-Desire to un-moving Truth
From Un-moving Truth to Eternal liberation.
Evil company is easily secured, good company has to be sought and struggled for. To fall is quite easy; to climb requires strength of will. (SSS Vol.11, p. 210)
You are moulded by the Company you relish. When you make friends with black smiths, you are bound to collect black dust on your cloth and skin. That is why Sangam, association is held crucial in spiritual life. (Ddd, p. 77)
Shri Sankara has eulogized the value of holy company in glowing terms as follows: ‘The Company of the wise begets detachment; detachment leads to the destruction of delusion, followed by the acquisition of steady wisdom, and culminating finally in Jivanmukti – liberation, while alive’. Therefore, the essential point you should remember is that only good company will engender good thoughts in you. (ICS , p. 76)
Inside you, conscience is your God. Outside you, the same conscience is your companion and guide. (YG, p. 271)
It was said by Einstein, ‘Tell me your company. I shall tell you what you are’. You imbibe the qualities of the company you keep. We should not get into bad company. Then we get bad thoughts. Run away from bad company.
‘Tyaja Durjana-samsargam.’ Discard the company of bad people.
‘Bhaja Sadhu-samagamam’ Get in touch with noble company.
‘Kuru Punyam aho-ratram.’ Do meritorious deeds day and night.
‘smara nityam anityatam’
(DTB Vol.4, p. 11)
Bad company does not mean the company of bad people alone. Even the bad thoughts constitute bad company. You should not only discard bad company, but give up bad thoughts also. One, however, does not become a noble soul by just giving up bad company and bad thoughts; one has to join good company and also cultivate good thoughts. One can have good
thoughts only by constant contemplation on God. Kuru punyam aho-ratram (perform good deeds day and night). At all times, at all places and under all circumstances, man has to contemplate on God and involve himself in His work. Bhaja Sadhu samagamam (join good company). You will get sacred feelings only when you are in good company. (SSS Vol.32 Part I, pp. 128-129)
A man is made or marred by the company he keeps. A bad fellow who falls into good company is able to shed his evil quality quickly. And shine forth in virtue. A good man falling into evil company is overcome by the subtle influence and he slides down into evil. The lesser is over-powered by the greater. A drop of sour curd transforms milk, curdling it and separating the butter, turns it whey.
Sacred books are also equally valuable for this transmuting process, but, they have to be read and pondered upon and their lessons have to be taken into daily practice. The Gayatri is the Vedic Mantra whispered into spiritual life. The Gayatri is a prayer to the Supreme Intelligence that is immanent in the Universe to kindle the intelligence of the supplicant. It is a prayer that can well be spoken with yearning by men and women of all creed and climes in all centuries. But, some people condemn it as meaningless jumble of words, and, though initiated, they neglect it. Repetition of this Mantra will develop the Intelligence. (SSS Vol.5, p. 54)
You must bear in mind the company you keep. Kabir said, ‘I salute the bad and also good!’ Kabir was asked; ‘We can understand your offering salutations to the good, but what is the point in offering salutations to the bad?’ he replied, ‘When I salute the bad, I am saluting them, saying, please remove yourself from my presence. I salute the good, saying, please come to me!’ You must avoid the company of the bad and cultivate the company of the good. Association with the good is pure Yoga! I desire that you should pursue this kind of yoga and confer happiness on all people with whom you are associated!
You should strive to get rid of all your bad thoughts, give up all your bad traits, discharge your obligations to our parents, render self-less service to the community and thereby redeem your lives and earn the grace of God. (SSS Vol.18, p. 203)