# Association of Devotees *On the importance of associating with devotees* --- ### To Give Chance for Association > So we are opening many centers all over the world. Why? To give people chance for having this association of a Vaiṣṇava, *mahat, mahātmā.* Therefore those who are in charge of such centers, they must be ideal *mahātmās. Mahātmā* means devotees. *Mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ bhajanty ananya-manaso* — [[spoken/1973/730907sb.sto|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.1–2, Stockholm, September 7, 1973]] --- ### If You Associate with Devotees > This is possible if you associate with devotees. If you think that "Now I have become very much advanced. Now I shall live alone and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, imitating Haridāsa Ṭhākura,'' this is nonsense. It is... You cannot imitate Haridāsa Ṭhākura. You have to associate with devotees. *Durlabha manava-janam sat sange. Sat-sange. Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido*. If you remain with the devotees, then by their association, by talking with them, you'll get real understanding of God consciousness. — [[spoken/1972/720527pu.la|Purport to Bhajahū Re Mana, Los Angeles, May 27, 1972]] --- ### Sādhu-saṅga > He is *sādhu* because he has accepted the principle, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam*. *Sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ samyag vyavasito hi saḥ*. You cannot say, "Oh, he has got some bad principle in his life. Although he is worshiping Kṛṣṇa wholeheartedly, but he has got some defect." Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *api cet su-durācāraḥ.* Even if he has got so many defects of his life, because he has dedicated his life for Kṛṣṇa's service, *sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ.* So if you have got *śraddhā* that by surrendering to Kṛṣṇa your all purpose of life will be practical or fruitful, then you have to associate with such persons who are engaged in the service of Kṛṣṇa, *sādhu-saṅga*. *Ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgaḥ.* — [[spoken/1973/731114sb.del|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.9–10, Delhi, November 14, 1973]] --- ### Like Stock Exchange Association > It is very practical to understand. Just like in material world there are many associations, societies. Businessmen, they have got their stock exchange association, those who are dealing in exchange. They have got an association. They go there, and their business facility is very good. Similarly, so many clubs. If you want to drink and enjoy sense, you go to so many clubs and associate with them, and you'll learn how to drink, how to mate very nicely. So association is very important. Therefore our Kṛṣṇa consciousness Society are giving chance people to associate with us, so that he'll be able to understand what is Kṛṣṇa, what is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. — [[spoken/1972/720527pu.la|Purport to Bhajahū Re Mana, Los Angeles, May 27, 1972]] --- ### Live with Devotees > We have got ambition, but this is our ambition: that live with devotees and execute the mission of our predecessor. This is our aim. Without ambition nobody can live. Self-interest, ambition, is everywhere. But self-interest is to execute the Kṛṣṇa's desire. So that they do not know. *Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum*. That they do not know. — [[spoken/1977/770527r2.vrn|Conversation Pieces, Vṛndāvana, May 27, 1977]] --- ### Don't Hear from Avaiṣṇava > Sanātana Gosvāmī says, "If it is uttered by *avaiṣṇava—*who is not a devotee, he is a professional man, so-called scholar and politician—don't hear it. Don't hear it." *Avaiṣṇava:* "Because he is not a Vaiṣṇava." *Avaiṣṇava-mukhodgīrṇaṁ pūtaṁ hari-kathā. Hari-kathā* means Kṛṣṇa's words. They are very purified. That's all right. But no, *śravaṇaṁ naiva kartavyam.* Why? Because *sarpocchiṣṭaṁ yathā payaḥ.* Just like milk. Milk is very good food, but if it is touched by the tongue of a serpent, it becomes poison. If you eat that kind of milk, your life will be finished. — [[spoken/1973/731114sb.del|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.9–10, Delhi, November 14, 1973]] --- ### Vaiṣṇava Is Transcendental > So all the Vaiṣṇavas here, it is not that "Here is an American Vaiṣṇava, here is an African Vaiṣṇava, an Indian Vaiṣṇava." Vaiṣṇava is Vaiṣṇava. Vaiṣṇava is transcendental. Although he may be appearing in different dress, but he is servant of Kṛṣṇa. This vision should be enlightened. Then he will remain fixed up in devotional service, and certainly he shall remain successful of life in this very life. — [[spoken/1973/730212ar.syd|Arrival Talk, Sydney, February 12, 1973]] --- ### Universal Brotherhood > One who is actually Kṛṣṇa conscious, he does not make any distinction that he is American or Indian or human being or animal. A devotee will never agree to kill an animal, not even an ant. That is, *yasyāsti bhaktir bhagavaty akiñcanā*. Factually, if you become Kṛṣṇa conscious, if your faith and love for Kṛṣṇa is unflinching, then you will be equally disposed, *samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu*. Simply by passing resolution you cannot establish universal brotherhood, unless you come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is the first principle. — [[spoken/1971/711114le.del|Paṇḍāl Lecture, Delhi, November 14, 1971]] --- *8 verified verbatim quotes from Śrīla Prabhupāda on association of devotees*