Taking To Krishna Consciousness Directly
Although there is a process of gradual elevation, if one, by the association of pure devotees, takes directly to Krishna Consciousness, that is the best way.
Association With Devotees
The root cause of devotional service to Lord Krishna is association with advanced devotees. Even when one's dormant love for Krishna awakens, association with devotees is still most essential.
Influence of A Pure Devotee
The influence of a pure devotee is such that if someone comes to associate with him with a little faith, one gets the chance of hearing about the Lord from authoritative scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
Benefits of Association of Pure Devotees
Simply by the association of pure devotees one can understand the transcendental name, fame, quality and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Becoming Perfectly Pure in Heart
Simply by associating with a pure devotee, one becomes wonderfully advanced in Krishna Consciousness. Sadhu-sanga, or association with a devotee, means always engaging in Krishna Consciousness by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra but he whose heart is contaminated sees things differently. Therefore by sat-sanga, or association with devotees, one becomes perfectly pure in heart.
Association of Pure Devotees
Only in the association of pure devotees can the words of Lord Krishna be fully potent and relishable to the heart and ear. Dhruva Maharaja explicitly wanted the association of devotees. That association in devotional activities is just like the waves of an incessantly flowing river.