22.55
tulayama lavenapi
na svargam napunar-bhavam
bhagavat-sangi-sangasya
martyanam kimutasisah
SYNONYMS
tulayama—we make equal; lavena—with one instant; api—even; na—not; svargam—heavenly planets; na—nor; apunah-bhavam—merging into the existence of the Supreme; bhagavat-sangi-sangasya—of the association of devotees who are always associated with the Supreme Personality of Godhead; martyanam—of persons destined to die; kim uta—what; asisah—the blessings " ’The value of a moment’s association with a devotee of the Lord cannot even be compared to the attainment of heavenly planets or liberation from matter, and what to speak of worldly benedictions in the form of material prosperity, which is for those who are meant for death.’
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.18.13).
This verse concerns the Vedic rites and sacrifices performed by the great sages of Naimisaranya, headed by Saunaka Rsi.
The sages pointed out that association with a devotee for even less than a second is beyond comparison to a thousand Vedic rituals and sacrifices, elevation to heavenly planets or merging into the existence of the Supreme.