Vedic scriptures say that no amount of pious activity can generate feelings of devotion for God in a person. Devotion can only be received from one who already has devotion in him, namely a devotee. The most important aspect of devotional advancement is to seek out the association of other devotees and pray for their causeless mercy.


Adi Purana; Laghu-bhagavatamrta 2.6

ye me bhakta-janah partha
na me bhaktas ca te janah
mad-bhaktanam ca ye bhaktas
te me bhakta-tama matah

TRANSLATION

Lord Krsna told Arjuna, 'Those who are My direct devotees are actually not My devotees, but those who are the devotees of My servant are factually My devotees.'


Padma Purana, Laghu-bhagavatamrta 2.4

aradhananam sarvesam
visnor aradhanam param
tasmat parataram devi
tadiyanam samarcanam

TRANSLATION

Lord Siva told the Goddess Durga, 'My dear Devi, although the Vedas mention the worship of the demigods, the worship of Lord Vishnu is topmost and is ultimately recommended. However above the worship of Lord Vishnu is the rendering of service to Vaisnavas who are related to Lord Vishnu.



Srimad Bhagavatam 1.8.13

tulayama lavenapi
na svargam napunar-bhavam
bhagavat-sangi-sangasya
martyanam kim utasisah

TRANSLATION

The value of a moment's association with the devotee of the Lord cannot even be compared to the attainment of heavenly planets or liberation from matter, and what to speak of worldly benedictions in the form of material prosperity, which are for those who are meant for death.


Sri Vaisnava Pranama

vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca
krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaisnavebhyo namo namah

TRANSLATION

I offer my respectful obeisance unto all the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone, and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls.