The determination to give up bad association

The following verse is found in the Kātyāyana-saṁhitā (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 10.295, Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.111)

varaṁ huta-vaha-jvālāpañjarāntar-vyavasthitiḥ

na śauri-cintā-vimukhajana-saṁvāsa-vaiśasam

I would rather be locked in a cage surrounded by burning flames than suffer in the association of those who dislike thinking of Krishna. And a similar idea is found in the Viṣṇu-rahasya (BRS 1.2.112)–

āliṅganaṁ varaṁ manye

vyāla-vyāghra-jalaukasām

na saṅgaḥ śalya-yuktānāṁ

nānā-devaika-sevinām

I believe it is better to embrace a poison snake, a tiger—which will eat you up--or a crocodile—which will swallow you up--rather than accept the painful companionship of someone who worships many gods and not the Supreme Lord.

Bhaktivinode Thakur—

agnite paṛi vā pañjarete baddha hai

tabu kṛṣṇa-bahirmukha-saṅga nāhi lai

varaṁ sarpa-vyāghra-kumbhīrera āliṅgana

anya-sevi-saṅga nāhi kari kadācana

I would rather fall into a fire or be imprisoned in a cage, as long as I do not fall into the company of those who reject Krishna.

I would rather embrace a serpent, tiger or alligator than ever associate with those who serve someone other than Krishna.

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