Bhajana-Rahasya
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya | 2010 | 123,965 words
The Bhajana-rahasya Text 41, English translation, including commentary (vritti). The Bhajana-rahasya is a compilation of verses describing the mercy of the eight pairs of names (Yugala-nama) of the Maha-mantra. This is text 41 belonging to the chapter “Dvitiya-yama-sadhana (Pratah-kaliya-bhajana)” representing the first six dandas of the morning: approximately 6.00 a.m.–8.30 a.m.
Text 41
Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (8.51) explains that one should be careful about whom one associates with:
यस्य यत्-सङ्गतिः पुंसो मणिवत् स्यात् स तद्-गुणः
स्व-कुलर्द्ध्यै ततो धीमान् स्व-युथान्य् एव संश्रयेत्yasya yat-saṅgatiḥ puṃso maṇivat syāt sa tad-guṇaḥ
sva-kularddhyai tato dhīmān sva-yuthāny eva saṃśrayetA person develops the qualities of the company he keeps, just as a crystal ref lects the colour of those objects that are brought into its proximity. Therefore, by associating with pure devotees, one can himself become pure.
स्वयूथेर मङ्गल ओ अन्ये राखि’ दूर
यथा सङ्ग यथा फल पाइबे प्रचुरsvayūthera maṅgala o anye rākhi’ dūra
yathā saṅga yathā phala pāibe pracura
Commentary: Bhajana-rahasya-vṛtti:
Association with devotees (sādhu-saṅga) is the source of all auspiciousness. Where the scriptures give the instruction to remain in solitude (niḥsaṅga), it means to only keep sādhu-saṅga.