A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One has to associate with a mahatma who has accepted Krishna as the supreme source of the entire creation. Without being a mahatma, one cannot understand Krishna's absolute position. A mahatma is rare and transcendental, and he is a pure devotee of Lord Krishna.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A pure devotee is the supreme transcendentalist and one has to receive his mercy for one's dormant Krishna Consciousness to be awakened. One has to associate with pure devotees. If one has firm faith in the words of a great soul, pure devotional service will awaken.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pure devotees are interested in achieving the transcendental service of the Lord, which is non different from Him.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one comes in contact with the book Bhagavatam as well as with the devotee bhagavata, who knows what the Bhagavatam is, then such a fortunate man gets out of the material entanglement.