दुर्जनः: विवेकः सावधानता च
अस्मिन् विभागे दुर्जनसङ्गस्य दोषाः, कपटम्, अहङ्कारः, मूर्खता, सावधानविवेकस्य आवश्यकता च संक्षेपेण प्रकाश्यते।
About the Durjana Subhashita Collection
Durjana means the wicked or the ill-natured person, and this category of subhashitas is a vivid reminder of the importance of good company. Sanskrit wisdom is strikingly realistic about human nature: it describes the signs of a bad companion, the danger of habitual negativity, and the way proximity to such people gradually erodes our own judgement and peace.
These verses are practical guides to discernment. They teach us to recognize flattery, gossip and selfishness, and to protect our minds by choosing companions who uplift us. The tone is often sharp and memorable, which makes these shlokas especially engaging for school projects and moral education. As with every section of the archive, each verse is provided with the Devanagari text, IAST transliteration and translations in English, Hindi and Bengali.
The durjana verses turn a clear eye on human faults — deceit, arrogance, envy, greed and folly — and teach the value of recognising them early. Rather than being cynical, this is practical wisdom: knowing the traits of a durjana, or evil-minded person, helps us protect our time, reputation and peace of mind. The subhashitas compare bad company to a pot of milk that a single drop of poison spoils, and good sense to a boat that keeps its balance in a storm. These verses are used in homes and schools to teach discernment, and their English and Bengali explanations make the lessons easy to discuss with children and young adults.