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 the following statement in the Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta (1.5.44):
- sva-jīvanādhikaṁ prārthyaṁ śrī-viṣṇu-jana-saṅgataḥ
- vicchedena kṣaṇaṁ cātra na sukhāṁśaṁ labhāmahe
“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.”