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Vidura Niti, a momentous portion of the Indian epic Mahabharata, is a modern manual for virtuous living and intuitive decisions. Vidura Niti exists for all of us to access that knowledge for creating our own lives. It also teaches the relevance of surrounding ourselves with people richer in wisdom or virtuousness, particularly as indicated in one relevant verse. The following editorial discusses the verse, the meaning behind it, and that meaning in the present and how this ancient and core teaching can influence contemporary lifestyles.

The verse from Vidura Niti (Mahabharata, Udyoga Parva, Chapter 34, Verse 21) is:

Sanskrit Verse:

सत्सङ्गति: कथं न स्याद् यया पुण्यं विवर्धति।

सतां सङ्गेन चेत् सौख्यं लभते न च दुखति॥

Transliteration:

Satsangatiḥ kathaṃ na syād yayā puṇyaṃ vivardhati।

Satāṃ saṅgena cet saukhyaṃ labhate na ca dukhati॥

English Translation:

“How can one not seek the company of the virtuous, through which merit (punya) increases? By associating with the good, one attains happiness and is not afflicted by sorrow.”

This verse emphasizes the importance of associating with wise, moral, and virtuous people. Vidura tells us that good association can give a person the morality and sense for their own spiritual growth, bringing them happiness and for protection from distress. The word “satsangati” (associating with the virtuous) refers to associating with people of truth, virtue, and wisdom who inspire good qualities. This will only promote the positive qualities in the person associating with the ideas. Good associations will help elevate a person, with the intention of developing them to a better person: Good association contributes a good environment for growth.

In today’s fast-paced and hyper-connected environment, Vidura Niti’s insights about virtuous companions remain pertinent. Those with whom we share our space: friends, colleagues, and online communities, have a powerful influence on our thoughts, deeds, and general well-being. In this section, we explore how this ancient wisdom relates to our contemporary world and how we can implement its teachings in our daily lives.

In today’s world our “companionship” also extends to social media, online forums, and virtual communities that, in some ways, have replaced our physical experience with company. From the media we consume, to the influencers we follow, personal values, ethics, and outlooks are dependent on the groups and individuals we socialize with. Vidura’s idea of joining virtuous company, can also translate into the kind of digital spaces we are a part of. Particularly, following people who positively demonstrate knowledge and ethics can be a source of inspiration for personal growth; however following unproductive, toxic or purely negative content can leave you feeling drained or even alter your worldview altogether.

Consider when a young professional enters the workforce and ends up joining a workplace group of colleagues who constantly gossip, cut-down and engage in negativity. Over time, their association with the group influences your morale, ethics, and enthusiasm.

On the other hand, interacting with colleagues who cherish collaboration, innovation, and honesty can inspire them to perform at a high level while adhering to appropriate levels of ethics. At a minimum, if you curate a feed on social media for thought leaders, educators and voices that are affirmative, you can uplift people and provide them with information and awareness consistent with Vidura’s call for “satsangati.”

Vidura’s reference to being happy and free from sorrow will resonate with many in light of the current societal focus on mental health. It has been scientifically documented that social connections can influence mental health. Hence, to be engaged with empathetic and supportive individuals reduces stress and builds resilience, whilst exposure to toxic individuals contributes to anxiety and emotional distress. Vidura’s accountability demands is a reminder of how important it is for us to engage with friends and mentors whose presence reinforces optimism, inspires constructive advice, and helps to provide distance from something unpleasant.

For instance, during difficult transitions in life the company of wise companions able to present sound practical advice and generous encouragement can help tremendously. A friend who listens without judgment, or a mentor who shares their experiences and strategies, encourages us to obtain clarity, and helps us achieve balance and take things less seriously. Alternatively, being with persons whose criticisms, judgments, and disapprovals are self-deprecating, counterproductive, and completely unnecessary, can add to stress and evidence of self-criticism.

Vidura’s teaching underscores how virtuous company generates punya (merit or righteousness), and hence, allows for personal development and living ethically. This can more familiarly be interpreted as associating with individuals who challenge us to become better thinkers, doers, and members of our community. For example, a student who is invited to participate in a study group with diligent, curious classmates is going to develop improved learning habits. Likewise, professionals who engage in networking with ethical leaders are going to have principled decision-making more often in their work.

In a world where materialism or instant gratification often dominate view, individuals who practice virtue remind us to shift our values towards honesty, compassion, and integrity. Seeing or spending time with virtuous friends leads to contemplation and seeking reflecting regarding our own attitudes and behaviours, which can lead to ethical behavioural change. For instance, if I have a friend who volunteers for worthy social causes, I am more likely intentionally to contribute to that cause with them and collectively align my lifestyle with meaningful and purposeful living.

In our present time, we are surrounded by social influence—in the form of success, trends, or the pressure to break our ethics, so we can gain an advantage. Vidura simply warned that we should choose friends that will build on our values, not corrupt them, and it really works the same for adults and teens alike. For a teen, it might look as a conscious decision to not hang out with peers that were exhibiting reckless behaviour, and instead choose to befriend peers who uphold some level of basic education and convention. For adults, it would mean avoiding workmates that were unethically cutting corners, and instead surrounding yourself with work colleagues who uphold fairness in culture and seeking equality in the workplace.

If you would desire to incorporate Vidura’s teaching to your contemporary life, consider these suggestions:

Assess Your Circle: Consider the people you spend the not just the most time but take the most influence on your life. Did they raise you, support you, and encourage you to participate with and reflect on emotional/ethical growth? If not, – find friends who are closer to your values.

Find Mentors and Role Models: Identify and learn about individuals who are wise and virtuous based on their portfolios. Think about physical people you know in the world (both at work and outside in the community), or even through an online platform.

Be a Virtuous Friend: Be the person that people look for. As you become kind, honest, and helpful yourself to those around you, you will attract others who are interested in building the same qualities.

Join a Positive Group: Find groups of people that interest you, like book clubs, volunteer organizations, or professional organizations. If you align with their growth and values, you will create positive companions.

Control Your Digital Environment: On Social Media Platforms, follow and intentionally seek out the accounts providing you with knowledge, positivity, and ethical perspectives on the world. Stop following the accounts that contribute negativity or division.

Although it seems simple to associate with the virtuous, it can be difficult to put that into practice. Sometimes we seek popularity or fame and associate with poor friendships. Social commitments, workplace circumstances, or fear of becoming alone can get in the way of needing to associate with unhealthy friends. The only thing that will help us overcome the difficulties is courage, self-knowledge, and prioritizing our personal wellbeing over comfort or superficiality.

Vidura Niti gives life-long guidance on associating with the noble. In our fast paced world, the influence we experience is many, and the levels are varied. The selection of wise and ethical companions is an act of self-care, and self-improvement. Whether we seek to grow personal associates, career companions, or work social media community influencers, following Vidura wisdom, we must observe that our companions will determine our world’s future. With our cultural urges towards shallow social relations, let’s strive to create connected relationships in virtuous connection within our lifelong aspiration of meaning and value.

“Surround yourself with the wise and virtuous—your company shapes your destiny! Embrace Vidura Niti’s timeless wisdom for a happier, ethical life. “

#Satsangati #ViduraNiti #ChooseWisely

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