Tell me how important association of devotees is....

[Guest guest]

I'm beginning to forget /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Guest guest]

Pranams!

 

Obviously you have not forgoteen, cos otherwise you wouldnt have posted this here /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

But for your pleasure, here goes:

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.12.1-2

 

śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; na rodhayati — does not control; mām — Me; yogaḥ — the aṣṭāńga-yoga system; na — neither; sāńkhyam — the analytic study of the material elements; dharmaḥ — ordinary piety such as nonviolence; eva — indeed; ca — also; na — neither; svādhyāyaḥ — chanting the Vedas; tapaḥ — penances; tyāgaḥ — the renounced order of life; na — nor; iṣṭā-pūrtam — the performance of sacrifice and public welfare activities such as digging wells or planting trees; na — neither; dakṣiṇā — charity; vratāni — taking vows such as fasting completely on Ekādaśī; yajñaḥ — worship of the demigods; chandāḿsi — chanting confidential mantras; tīrthāni — going to holy places of pilgrimage; niyamāḥ — following major instructions for spiritual discipline; yamāḥ — and also minor regulations; yathā — as; avarundhe — brings under control; sat-sańgaḥ — association with My devotees; sarva — all; sańga — material association; apahaḥ — removing; hi — certainly; mām — Me.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Uddhava, by associating with My pure devotees one can destroy one's attachment for all objects of material sense gratification. Such purifying association brings Me under the control of My devotee. One may perform the aṣṭāńga-yoga system, engage in philosophical analysis of the elements of material nature, practice nonviolence and other ordinary principles of piety, chant the Vedas, perform penances, take to the renounced order of life, execute sacrificial performances and dig wells, plant trees and perform other public welfare activities, give in charity, carry out severe vows, worship the demigods, chant confidential mantras, visit holy places or accept major and minor disciplinary injunctions, but even by performing such activities one does not bring Me under his control.

 

 

 

The most amazing part of this verse, is that simply by associating with the true devotees of Krishna, one can control Him. How incredible!!!

 

Hare Krishna