The Supreme Personality of Godhead said An intelligent person should therefore reject all bad associations and instead take up the association of saintly devotees, whose words cut off the excessive attachment of one's mind. My devotees fix their minds on Me and do not depend upon anything material. They are always peaceful, endowed with equal vision, and free from possessiveness, false ego, duality, and greed. Whoever hears, chants, and respectfully takes to heart these topics about Me becomes faithfully dedicated to Me and thus achieves My devotional service. In the association of such saintly devotees, there is constant discussion of Me, and those partaking in this chanting and hearing of My glories are certainly purified of all sins. Just as cold, fear and darkness are eradicated for one who has approached the sacrificial fire, so dullness, fear, and ignorance are destroyed for one engaged in serving the devotees of the Lord. The devotees of the Lord, peacefully fixed in absolute knowledge, are the ultimate shelter for those who are repeatedly rising and falling within the fearful ocean of material life. Such devotees are just like a strong boat that comes to rescue persons who are at the point of drowning. Just as food is the life of all creatures, just as I am the ultimate shelter for the distressed, and just as religion is the wealth of those who are passing away from this world, so My devotees are the only refuge of persons fearful of falling into a miserable condition of life. My devotees bestow divine eyes, whereas the sun allows only external sight, and that only when it rises in the sky. My devotees are one's real worshipable deities and real family; they are one's own self, and ultimately they are nondifferent from Me. (Srimad Bhagavatam Chapter 11.26)
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