Association with pure devotees: The highest benediction

Lord Vishnu being pleased with the austerities of the Pracetas comes before them and blesses them with His beautiful darshan.He expressed His pleasure with the Pracetas and requested them to ask for a benediction in SB4.30.8. The Pracetas offer their prayers glorifying the Lord and then state in SB 4.30.33:

"As long as we have to remain in the material world and take up different bodies in different planets, they pray that they associate with those who are engaged in discussing Your Pastimes" and " A moment's association with a pure devotee cannot be compared with liberation.Association with pure devotees is the highest benediction."

Similar benedictions were sought after by Jaya-Vijaya, the 4 kumaras and Prthu Maharaj:

• When Jaya and Vijaya were being cursed they said they were ready to accept any condition save and except the condition where they are under the illusion of forgetting the SPG.
• The Kumaras also thinking they maybe forced to fall into the material world because they cursed Jaya and Vjaya also request for the benediction that they maybe born in any condition but they should also be engaged in the Lord's service and in hearing the glories of the Lord.
• When Prthu Maharaj is asked for a benediction he only desires the benediction of hearing the glories of the Lord from the mouths of the pure devotees.

Association of devotees is the topmost benediction.In the Siksastaka Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu states "Mam janmani janmani ishware bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi". How will we always be continuously engaged in devotional service birth after birth?
This is possible only if we are always in the association of devotees.

1. The most important thing for a devotee is getting a chance to hear about the pastimes and glories of the Lord.
2. By associating with devotees who are very attached to Krishna's Lotus feet we will also develop the same attachment.
3. We will be protected from becoming non-devotees only if we are in strong association.
   
4. Activities of hearing and chanting in the association of devotees are very purifying and full of transcendental pleasure.All miseries are vanquished and the atmosphere is thus a Vaikuntha atmosphere. More on the benefits of hearing and chanting in association can be read here.
5. A moment's association with a pure devotee is the highest benediction.Even in a moment we can receive all their mercy and grace to develop love for Krishna.The Pracetas got the association of Lord Siva and through that association they were able to get the darshan of Lord Narayana.
6. It is therefore the duty of everyone to associate with a pure devotee and thus attain freedom from material contamination. Everyone should take advantage of the wandering devotees, whose only business is to deliver conditioned souls from the clutches of māyā.
7. SB 4.22.19: When there is a congregation of devotees, their discussions, questions and answers become conclusive to both the speaker and the audience. Thus such a meeting is beneficial for everyone's real happiness.