Verse Text
hari-bhakti-sudhodaye ca—
yasya yat-saṅgatiḥ puṁso maṇivat syāt sa tad-guṇaḥ |
sva-kula-rddhyai tato dhīmān sva-yūthān eva saṁśrayet ||229||
Translation
It is also said in the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya: A man will attain the qualities of the person with whom he associates, just as a crystal takes up the color of the object next to it. Therefore, the wise man will take shelter of those who have qualities like his own for the prosperity of his family.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
This verse makes clear the power of association with like-minded persons using an example. This is a statement of Hiraṇyakaśipu to Prahlāda. Though the demon’s intention was otherwise, because it is a general statement, it is possible to use the verse according to one’s own intentions. This is the aim of the author. Maṇivat means “like a crystal.” It is used here as an example to illustrate taking up the qualities of an object in proximity, though it also has the quality of being completely unsteady, taking up any color of any nearby object. Sva-yūthān here indicates sajātīyān, like-minded.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
In the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya there is a conversation between Prahlāda Mahārāja and his father, Hiraṇyakaśipu, in which Hiraṇyakaśipu addresses Prahlāda in this way: “My dear son, association is very important. It acts just like a crystal stone, which will reflect anything which is put before it.” Similarly, if we associate with the flowerlike devotees of the Lord, and if our hearts are crystal clear, then certainly the same action will be there. Another example given in this connection is that if a man is potent and if a woman is not diseased, then by their conjugation there will be conception. In the same way, if the recipient of spiritual knowledge and the deliverer of spiritual knowledge are sincere and bona fide, there will be good results.