# The importance of association *"A man is known by the company he keeps." The Vedic scriptures emphasize that association with devotees (sādhu-saṅga) is the most important factor in spiritual advancement, while bad association must be strictly avoided.* ## Association with Devotees Is Most Important ![[cc/madhya/22/83]] ![[cc/madhya/22/54]] ## By Devotee Association One Develops Faith ![[cc/madhya/22/45]] ![[cc/madhya/22/49]] ## One Becomes Like Those with Whom One Associates ![[bg/6/5#purport]] ![[sb/4/30/8]] ## Even a Moment's Association with Pure Devotees ![[cc/madhya/22/54]] ![[sb/1/18/13]] ## Bad Association Must Be Avoided ![[cc/madhya/22/87]] ![[sb/3/31/32]] ![[sb/3/31/33]] ## The Power of Saintly Association ![[sb/1/5/25]] ![[sb/1/5/26]] ## From the Index - [[index/entries/association|Association]] — Sādhu-saṅga - [[index/entries/vaisnava|Vaiṣṇava]] — Devotee of Krishna - [[index/entries/pure-devotee|Pure Devotee]] — Whose association is transformative - [[index/entries/faith|Faith]] — Developed through association