The different modes of material nature — the mode of goodness, the mode of passion and the mode of darkness are subtle forces that influence our behavior as well as every aspect of our physical, mental, and emotional world. They pull us to act in various ways, even against our better judgment. According to these modes, there are different living beings, who are known as demigods, human beings and hellish living entities.
The living entities individually are being conducted by a particular mode of nature, but at the same time there is every chance of their being influenced by the other two. Generally, all conditioned souls in the material encagement are influenced by the mode of passion because every one of them is trying to lord it over the material nature to fulfill his individual desire. But in spite of the individual mode of passion, there is always the chance of being influenced by the other modes of nature by association.
If one is in good association he can develop the mode of goodness, and if in bad association he may develop the mode of darkness or ignorance. Nothing is stereotyped. One can change his habit by good or bad association, and one has to become intelligent enough to discriminate between good and bad. The best association is the service of the devotees of the Lord, and by that association one can become the highest qualified man by the grace of the Lord's pure devotees.
The people we associate with - hold the reins of our life, determine our happiness, they are our ultimate connection to the Divine, who would steer the path to the eternal touchstone abode of the Supreme Lord.
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