Keeping good company
Having been with the Kauravas, they cannot abandon them suddenly, even when they know that Duryodhana is guilty of unforgivable sins. Having enjoyed the patronage of Dritharashtra for many years, how can they turn against him, when he needs them? So they stay back with the Kauravas. But the residents of Hastinapura give reasons for their decision to leave the city. We acquire the characteristics of those whose company we keep. If you add fragrant flowers to a pot of water, the water begins to smell good too. The earth smells good because of the flowers. Clothes that come into contact with the flowers also acquire a pleasant smell. The people argue that they must be with righteous people like the Pandavas. If they stay back in a city ruled by Duryodhana, they too will begin to think and act like him, casting dharma away, and behaving selfishly. We should seek the company of educated people, the elderly whose experience we can benefit from, those with good qualities, those engaged in tapas and those with self-control.
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