गोविन्द भाष्य (श्रील बलदेव विद्याभूषण - अचिन्त्यभेदाभेद वेदान्त ब्रह्मसूत्र भाष्य सटीक)

processes to understand the Absolute Truth, but the Absolute Truth is only
revealed to one who has attained the mercy of a great devotee."*
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.12.1-2), Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself explains:
na rodhayati māṁ yogo
na saṅkhyaṁ dharma uddhava
na svādhyāyas tapas tyāgo
neṣṭa-pūrtaṁ na dakṣiṇā
vratāni yajñās chandāṁsi
tīrthāni niyamā yamāḥ
yathāvarundhe sat-saṅgaḥ
sarva-saṅgāpaho hi mām
"My dear Uddhava, neither through aṣṭāṅga-yoga (the mystic yoga to control
the senses), nor through impersonal monism or an analytical study of the Absolute
Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through practice of austerities, nor
through charity, nor through acceptance of sannyāsa, nor through many pious
deeds, nor through giving dakṣiṇā, nor through following vows, nor through
performing many yajñas, nor through chanting Vedic hymns, nor through visiting
holy places, nor through controlling the senses can one bring Me under his control
as much as one can by associating with saintly devotees. Their association frees
one from the touch of matter."
Here Lord Kṛṣṇa personally teaches the importance of associating with saintly
devotees. The Lord here teaches a great secret of how to engage in devotional
service. The word “ādi" in this sūtra indicates that one should also visit holy places
of pilgrimage and one should avoid they who commit blasphemy. In Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam (1.2.16) it is said:
śuśrūṣoḥ śraddadhānasya
vāsudeva-kathā-ruciḥ
syān mahat-sevayā viprāḥ
puṇya-tīrtha-niṣevaṇāt
"O twice-born sages, by serving those devotees who are completely freed from
all vice, great service is done. By such service one gains affinity for hearing the
message of Vāsudeva."*
In the Padma Purāṇa it is said:
harir eva sadārādhyaḥ