None shall associate himself with those persons, who under pretext of preaching religion or devotion to God, seek wealth, women and worldly pleasures and commit sins.
None shall associate himself with those persons, who under pretext of preaching religion or devotion to God, seek wealth, women and worldly pleasures and commit sins.
Lord Swaminarayan, in this Shikshapatri has emphasised the importance of disassociation. He has put much effort in pointing out that association with various types of people, often sinners, is just as bad as committing the sins themselves. For this reason to associate with these sinners is undesirable.
The Lord in this Shloka brings up a point that is very relevant today. There exists many pseudo Bhaktas and Gnaanis who use their knowledge and cunning nature unscrupulously, to act wilfully for personal gain. Those who act in this way insult the Gods, says Shatanand.
Padma Purana explains, ‘Those who use their strengths (of knowledge and devotion) corruptly and thereby commit sin, can never redeem their sins, by any penance.’ Goswami Shree explains, ‘Those who act in such a way are guilty of sin. Such people, who are otherwise destined for salvation, are made to repeatedly endure the bondage of births and deaths.’ Therefore such acts destroy righteous actions.
Similarly one should never act as though they are God. They should never impersonate God. Those who do are made to suffer in hell. They are great sinners and so association with such people is also unacceptable.
Hankering after women and wealth are great sins alone. However those who use their Bhakti and Gnaan to aid these acts are the worst of sinners. Those who promote their ‘divinity’ can never be trusted. Association with such persons or groups will never attain Mukti