The compassion of Śrī Hari descends into this world through two streams:
one is Śrī Vaiṣṇava and the other is Śrī Guru.

By the influence of the Vaiṣṇavas, the necessity of receiving the shelter of Śrī Guru is understood.
And as a result of the Vaiṣṇavas’ mercy, that shelter is obtained.

The Vaiṣṇavas kindly give us a priceless treasure in the form of Śrī Guru, who is the origin of bhagavad-bhajana.
Therefore, the sādhaka who is eager to obtain prema must serve both Śrī Guru and the Vaiṣṇavas equally.

By the combined grace of both Śrī Vaiṣṇava, who is the embodiment of bhagavad-bhakti, and Śrī Guru,
who is the embodiment of bhagavad-bhakti as well as a direct incarnation of Śrī Bhagavān, the sādhaka’s devotional practices will be success-ful. Because of that,

Śrīla Narottama Ṭhākura Mahāśaya has written,

chāḍiyā baiṣṇaba-sebā, nistāra peyeche kebā,
anukṣaṇa kheda uṭhe mane |
narottama dāse kaya, jībāra ucita naya,
śrī-guru-baiṣṇaba-sebā bine ||

“Who has ever received liberation without serving the Vaiṣṇavas? Instead, their minds are always filled with distress.
Narottama Dāsa says that life is worthless without service to Śrī Guru and the Vaiṣṇavas.”

The mercy of Śrī Bhagavān exists in two forms: Śrī Guru and Śrī Vaiṣṇava. Serving Śrī Guru and the Vaiṣṇavas are two direct ways of receiving Śrī Bhagavān’s compassion.
Without one, the other is incomplete.

If one performs guru-sevā but has no inclination for vaiṣṇava-sevā, then that guru-sevā is not complete.
And if one performs vaiṣṇava-sevā but has no interest in guru-sevā, the vaiṣṇava-sevā is also incomplete.

For this reason, the sad-guru offers his own disciples at the feet of the Vaiṣṇavas and teaches them how to obtain the Vaiṣṇavas’ association and how to serve them.
And the Vaiṣṇavas teach the people under their care how to serve the lotus feet of Śrī Guru.

– Rādhākuṇḍa Mahānta Paṇḍita Śrīmat Ananta Dāsa Bābājī Mahārāja