SB 4.24.57

Out of three kinds of men-the karmis, jnanis and bhaktas-the bhakta is described herein as the most exalted. Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati has sung: kaivalyam narakayate tridasapūr akasa-puspayate (Caitanya-candramrta 5). The word kaivalya means to merge into the effulgence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the word tridasa-pūr refers to the heavenly planets where the demigods live. Thus for a devotee, kaivalya-sukha, or merging into the existence of the Lord, is hellish because the bhakta considers it suicidal to lose his individuality and merge into the effulgence of Brahman. A bhakta always wants to retain his individuality in order to render service to the Lord. Indeed, he considers promotion to the upper planetary systems to be no better than a will-o'-the-wisp. Temporary material happiness holds no value for a devotee. The devotee is in such an exalted position that he is not interested in the actions of karma or jnana. The resultant actions of karma and jnana are so insignificant to a devotee situated on the transcendental platform that he is not in the least interested in them. Bhakti-yoga is sufficient to give the bhakta all happiness. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam: yayatma suprasidati (Bhag. 1.2.6). One can be fully satisfied simply by devotional service, and that is the result of association with a devotee. Without being blessed by a pure devotee, no one can be fully satisfied, nor can anyone understand the transcendental position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.