HOW IMPORTANT IS A DEVOTEE?

How important is a Devotee?

Well, consider this:

Srila Vyasadeva Himself, the compiler of all the Vedas has taken instruction from Narada. After compiling all the Vedas for the betterment of human society Srila Vyasadeva was morose. Shouldn't he be elated? He had presented everything people would need to know for all time about how to manage society for its betterment. A great service of welfare. 

Acting as Vyasadeva's rasa guru, Narada muni enlivened him to glorify Krishna and His Devotees revealing that this is the highest welfare work and is the taste Vyasadeva is looking for, opening up the path back home back to Godhead. 

After all what is Krishna doing eternally? He is enjoying with his devotees, tasting various moods of loving exchange in unlimited varieties of relationships. After all He is the Supreme Enjoyer isn't he? What better way to enjoy than love in unlimited varieties? Unlimited relationships?

Srila Vyasadeva has given us his own devotional outpouring in loving service to the Lord, as kindled by his surrender to Narada in the form of the Srimad Bhagavatam.

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM

And what is the Srimad Bhagavatam?

This great devotional masterpiece, perfectly composed in thousands of Sanskrit verses  firmly establishes Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and gives accounts of devotees of the Lord in such a way as to elevate the reader to the perfectional stage of love of God. Starting at the beginning and reading through in order of presentation the reader is sure to reach the proper conclusion. 

Starting with Narada and then to Vyasadeva, Brahma, the Pandavas, the demigods, the rsis, saintly kings, avadhutas, every one is there in Srimad Bhagavatam. By hearing from Vyasadeva in His mood of love of God how these personalities are absorbed in their service to the Lord the path back home back to Godhead is illuminated. 

And when we are back to Godhead? What do we find?
Everyone there is absorbed in their loving service to the Lord. 

Now to go one step further: 
In order to really get the message home to the fallen unfortunate residents of Kali yuga who are so distracted, confused and materially attached, the Lord Himself incarnated 500 years ago as Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya. He has appeared as His own Devotee. 

How important is the association of a Devotee? 
The Lord Himself appears as a Devotee. 
Shouldn't it be obvious this is most important?  
Why would He appear as a Devotee if it weren't so?

Sri Krishna Chaitanya has flooded the world with devotional ecstasy. We are so stubborn and foolish we remain attached to material endeavors, thinking there is some spiritual benefit in them. If we study carefully the life and pastimes of Lord Chaitanya we will see there is nothing material in them at all. Hearing and chanting the Holy names, pastimes, form, qualities, is the process given by Him for reaching the proper conclusion. His "sankirtan yajna" is the process at this time for developing love of God.

CHAITANYA CHARITAMRTA

Conclusion:  Krishna and his Devotees is all there is . When I take shelter in love and submission of His Devotee(s) the Lord being pleased gives Himself to me.
Offense to a Devotee is the single most detriment. The truth can never be known that way. Such a person will remain in the darkness until they are relieved of their offensive mentality. And that darkness could be uncountable lifetimes. 

How important is a Devotee? You tell me!

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