Durjanah Parihartavyah (Shun the Wicked Though Learned) — Benefits & How to Chant
दुर्जनः परिहर्तव्यः
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting Durjanah Parihartavyah (Shun the Wicked Though Learned)
Teaches discernment in choosing one's company and friends
Warns that learning without good character can still be dangerous
Places virtue and integrity above mere knowledge or cleverness
Offers a vivid, unforgettable image
a jewelled yet deadly serpent
Encourages caution against charming but ill-natured people
A short, memorable verse for reflection on character and good company
How to Chant Durjanah Parihartavyah (Shun the Wicked Though Learned)
Instructions
Recite the verse slowly, holding the striking image of a serpent crowned with a jewel yet no less deadly. Reflect on how true safety lies in good character, not in brilliance alone, and let it sharpen your discernment in choosing the company you keep. It is often quoted in teachings on niti (practical wisdom) and the importance of good association (satsanga).
Spiritual Significance
Teachers of niti recall this verse whenever brilliance is mistaken for goodness, reminding students that the most dangerous people are often the most accomplished. It is said that one who heeds this warning is spared much sorrow, for they judge a companion by character rather than by cleverness alone.
Origin & History
Source: Bhartrhari Niti Shataka
Author: Bhartrhari
The Niti Shataka is the first of Bhartrhari's three celebrated centuries of verse, gathering a hundred epigrams on conduct, wisdom and the ways of the world. Among its many verses on character and discernment, this shloka uses the unforgettable image of a jewel-adorned serpent to warn that an evil-natured person, however learned, must be shunned — for knowledge cannot make a wicked heart safe.