# Cc. Madhya 8.248 ## Text > 'duḥkha-madhye kona duḥkha haya gurutara?' > 'kṛṣṇa-bhakta-viraha vinā duḥkha nāhi dekhi para' ## Synonyms *duḥkha*-*madhye*—among the miserable conditions of life; *kona*—what; *duḥkha*—misery; *haya*—is; *gurutara*—more painful; *kṛṣṇa*-*bhakta*-*viraha*—separation from the devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa; *vinā*—besides; *duḥkha*—unhappiness; *nāhi*—there is not; *dekhi*—I see; *para*—other. ## Translation **Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, "Of all kinds of distress, what is the most painful?"** **Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya replied, "Apart from separation from the devotee of Kṛṣṇa, I know of no unbearable unhappiness."** ## Purport Concerning this, the Lord states in the Vedic literature: > mām anārādhya duḥkhārtaḥ > kuṭumbāsakta-mānasaḥ > sat-saṅga-rahito martyo > vṛddha-sevā-paricyutaḥ "A person who does not worship Me, who is unduly attached to family and who does not stick to devotional service must be considered a most unhappy person. Similarly, one who does not associate with Vaiṣṇavas, or who does not render service to his superior, is also a most unhappy person." There is also a statement given in the *Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta* (1.5.51): > sva-jīvanādhikaṁ prārthyaṁ > śrī-viṣṇu-jana-saṅgataḥ > vicchedena kṣaṇaṁ cātra > na sukhāṁśaṁ labhāmahe "[King Yudhiṣṭhira said:] 'Out of all kinds of desirable things experienced in the life of a living entity, association with the devotees of the Lord is the greatest. When we are separated from a devotee even for a moment, we cannot enjoy happiness.' "