We may be desirous to tread the right path and our heart may long to get closer to God but still we may find that our endeavours are not bringing desired results. Our old bad habits crop up anytime or we may not find sufficient enthusiasm to sustain our devotional desire.
Achieving the love of God isn’t difficult as most of us presume. For e.g. for a child achieving the affection of father is very simple. The child just needs to reciprocate with the father’s love. Similarly Krishna is eagerly waiting for us; if we just take one step towards him then he will take hundreds of steps towards us.
To develop deep attachment for God we need to get attached to those who are very much attached to Lord. This is one of the most important methods of inculcating love for God. An iron put in fire acquires fiery quality after a while; similarly if we remain in the association of devotees then we eventually develop love for God.
Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura has advised that one should always live in the association of those who are sincerely practicing devotional life and following the footsteps of previous acharyas – tadera carana sevi bhakta – sane vasa. Lord Chaitanya says, asat – sanga – tyaga, – ei vaisnava acarya: Characteristically, a Vaisanava is one who gives up the association of worldly people or nondevotees. (Chaitanya Charitamrita. Madhaya 22.87).
So as a seeker or as a beginner we should always try to remain in association of devotees of the Lord. And if at present we are not having the association of devotees then we should sincerely pray to Lord to provide us the association of His pure devotees. Lord will definitely reciprocate with our desire and put us in the company of sincere souls.
