Overcoming the Pitfall of Unfavorable Association

Unfavorable Association. The story of Jada Bharata is particularly instructive for vaishnavas who find themselves in unfavorable circumstances or in undesireable association. Despite his brothers not understanding or appreciating his exalted spiritual position, and despite their constantly abusive treatment, Jada Bharata was fixed in his meditation on Krishna. Because he saw everything in relation to Krishna, Jada Bharata could not be discouraged by any material circumstances. As Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita 14.26: "One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman."