Baal Kaanda
5 - Contrast between saints and the evil-minded
Chaupais
Description
When Providence blesses one with such discrimination (as is possessed by the swan), then alone does the mind abandon evil and gets enamoured of goodness. By force of the spirit of the times, old habits and past Karma even the good deviate from goodness under the influence of Maya. But just as servants of Sri Hari rectify that error and, eradicating sorrow and weakness, bring untarnished glory to them, even so the wicked occasionally perform a noble deed due to their good association, although their evil nature, which is unchangeable, cannot be obliterated. Even those who are impostors are respected on account of their garb, as the world is taken in by their attractive appearance. But they are eventually exposed, and cannot keep up their false appearance till the end, as was the case with Kalanemi*, Ravana† and Rahu.‡ The good are honoured notwithstanding their mean appearance, even as Jambavan (a general of Sugrriva's army, who was endowed with the form of a bear and possessed miraculous strength) and Hanuman (the monkey-god) won honour in this world. Bad association is harmful, while good company is an asset in itself: this is true in the world as well as in the eyes of the Vedas, and is known to all.Through contact with the wind dust ascends to the sky, while it is assimilated with mud when united with low-lying waters. Parrots and Mainas nurtured in the house of the virtuous and the wicked repeat the name of Rama and pour a volley of abuses respectively. Smoke coming in contact with an evil (earthy)§ substance turns into soot; the same is used as a material for copying the Puranas with when converted into beautiful ink. Again, in conjunction with water, fire and air it is transformed into a cloud and brings life to the world.