1. Seek the association of pure, unalloyed devotees

    Srila Prabhupada’s summary of a verse spoken by Lord Kapiladeva:

    “My dear mother, when a person is actually in association with pure devotees, the sublime potency of My devotional service can be experienced.’ In other words, when a pure devotee speaks, his words act upon the hearts of the audience. What is the secret of hearing and chanting? …when a realized soul who is engaged in the service of the Lord is speaking, he has the potency to inject spiritual life within the audience. One should, therefore, seek the association of such pure, unalloyed devotees, and by such association and service a neophyte devotee will certainly develop attachment, love, and devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

    [The Nectar of Devotion, chapter 17]