Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta 1.4.94
śrīman-mahā-prabhos tasya
preṣṭhānām api sarvathā
tatra darśana-sevārthaṁ
prayāṇaṁ yuktam eva naḥ
śrī-hanūmān uvāca—Śrī Hanumān said; śrī-mat—together with the goddess of fortune; mahā-prabhoḥ—of the Personality of Godhead; tasya—His; preṣṭhānām—of the dearmost devotees; api—after all; sarvathā—in all respects; tatra—there; darśana—of seeing; sevā—and serving; artham—for the sake; prayāṇam—travel; yuktam—fitting; eva—indeed; naḥ—for us.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Hanumān said: Certainly it would be fitting for us to visit Dvārakā to see the Pāṇḍavas and offer them service, for they are in all respects most dear to the Personality of Godhead and His consort.
COMMENTARY
Two good reasons to visit the Pāṇḍavas are to see them and to offer them service. Or the reason is actually one, because seeing them (darśana) is itself personal service and transcendental worship.
Many a times people come to temple to take darsana of the Deities. Taking darsana is a potent form of advancement in devotional service. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu would go to take darsana of Lord Jagannath daily while He was in Puri.
In Tulasi Arati, we daily pray,
mor ei abhilāṣ, bilās kuñje dio vās
nayane heribo sadā jugala-rūpa-rāśi
“My desire is that you will also grant me a residence in the pleasure groves of Śrī Vṛndāvana-dhāma. Thus, within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
Just as seeing Deities is a form of service to the Lord, taking darsana of devotees is also a personal service and worship as mentioned by Srila Sanatana Goswami here. Scriptures are filled with the glories of a mere glance of a devotee. It has the power to purge unlimited sins that are present within the heart.
If we are occupied in some services and unable to take darsana of devotees, that is all right. But whenever we get a chance, we must look forward to seeing the pure devotees of the Lord. If taking darsana has such power, then what to speak about associating with them, hearing from them, worshipping them?
Just as it matters what is our mood while taking darsana of the Lord, similarly, it matters what is the mood while taking darsana of the devotees. If we see the devotees and get reminded about their wonderful Vaishnava qualities, that is glorious. Our hearts get transformed by that darsana. But if our minds and hearts are clouded with the faults of devotees, the same darsana loses the capacity to purify us.
As is mentioned above, darśana-sevārthaṁ, our darsana must be in the mood of service! That darsana is fruitful. And the darsana should be with the aim of rendering some service! At least one must be eager to render some service. Then that darsana is even more glorious!!
Therefore, one must be eager to associate with the Vaishnavas in any way, and if one has an opportunity to get even the darsana of a Vaishnava, what to speak of service to the Vaishnavas, one must be grateful for that opportunity and must consider oneself blessed.
