SB 3.7.20
durapa hy alpa-tapasah
seva vaikuntha-vartmasu
yatropagiyate nityam
deva-devo janardanah
Translation by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:
Persons whose austerity is meager can hardly obtain the service of the pure devotees who are progressing on the path back to the kingdom of Godhead, the Vaikunthas. Pure devotees engage one hundred percent in glorifying the Supreme Lord, who is the Lord of the demigods and the controller of all living entities.
Purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:
The path of liberation, as recommended by all authorities, is to serve the mahatma transcendentalists. As far as Bhagavad-gita is concerned, the mahatmas are the pure devotees who are on the path to Vaikuntha, the kingdom of God, and who always chant and hear the glories of the Lord rather than talk of dry, profitless philosophy. This system of association has been recommended since time immemorial, but in this age of quarrel and hypocrisy it is especially recommended by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Even if one has no assets of favorable austerity, if he nevertheless takes shelter of the mahatmas, who are engaged in chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord, he is sure to make progress on the path back home, back to Godhead.