Out of all kinds of desirable things experienced in the life of a living entity, association with the devotees of the Lord is the greatest. When we are separated from a devotee even for a moment, we cannot enjoy happiness - Brhad-bhagavatamrta 1.5.44

Expressions researched:
"Out of all kinds of desirable things experienced in the life of a living entity, association with the devotees of the Lord is the greatest. When we are separated from a devotee even for a moment, we cannot enjoy happiness"

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta

CC Madhya-lila

There is also the following statement in the Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta (1.5.44): “Out of all kinds of desirable things experienced in the life of a living entity, association with the devotees of the Lord is the greatest. When we are separated from a devotee even for a moment, we cannot enjoy happiness.”.

CC Madhya 8.248, Translation and Purport

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, “Of all kinds of distress, what is the most painful?” Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “Apart from separation from the devotee of Kṛṣṇa, I know of no unbearable unhappiness.”

Concerning this, the Lord states in the Vedic literature:

mām anārādhya duḥkhārtaḥ kuṭumbāsakta-mānasaḥ

sat-saṅga-rahito martyo vṛddha-sevā-paricyutaḥ

“A person who does not worship Me, who is unduly attached to family and who does not stick to devotional service must be considered a most unhappy person. Similarly, one who does not associate with Vaiṣṇavas, or who does not render service to his superior, is also a most unhappy person.” There is also the following statement in the Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta (1.5.44):

sva-jīvanādhikaṁ prārthyaṁ śrī-viṣṇu-jana-saṅgataḥ

vicchedena kṣaṇaṁ cātra na sukhāṁśaṁ labhāmahe

“Out of all kinds of desirable things experienced in the life of a living entity, association with the devotees of the Lord is the greatest. When we are separated from a devotee even for a moment, we cannot enjoy happiness.”