Where there is an absence of nirapekṣatā (freedom from dependence upon worldly expectations) , there reside lust, anger, greed, delusion, and pride. These five enemies (kāma, krodha, lobha, moha, and mada) exercise their mighty dominion over the conditioned souls. Those who do not become exclusively devoted to the service of Bhagavān, being bound by the thread of allegiance to these five masters, are themselves asat and envious.
Nirapekṣatā means to remain free from selfish expectation or dependence upon any position, circumstance, or particular person within this world, and to repose one’s sole expectation and dependence exclusively at the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Generally, even when we clearly observe genuinely blameworthy or offensive conduct in those who are close to us, we nevertheless take their side. By doing so, we are in fact causing them spiritual harm. But we act in this manner because of our own self-interest, motivated by the expectation of obtaining some benefit from them.
In this way, we remain under the control of these five enemies because we have not yet accepted Śrī Hari and Śrī Guru as our sole shelter. We think: “If I do not take their side [ wrong people] , they may harm me in the future. They may not help me obtain the things I desire. When I myself am at fault, they may not support me.”
Thus, forgetting Śrī Bhagavān and Śrī Guru, who are our original and ultimate shelter, we become attached to asat-saṅga. We then display envy toward those impartial sādhus who are established exclusively upon the śrauta-panthā bestowed by Śrī Guru. Why? Because they alone are truly nirapekṣa (free from worldly expectation) and, for the sake of our ultimate welfare, they strike at our narrow, contemptible, enjoyment-oriented mentality. Yet it is toward such persons that we display envy. Taking the side of worldly-minded associates and asat-saṅgīs, we thus bring about our own complete ruin. A pure Guru or Vaiṣṇava can never be a flatterer.
— Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvami Ṭhākura Prabhupāda