ye me bhakta-janah partha na me bhaktas ca te janah mad-bhaktanam ca ye bhaktas te me bhaktatama matah
(Lord Krsna told Arjuna:) "Those who consider themselves My direct devotees are actually not My devotees, but those who see themselves as the Devotees of My associates are factually My devotees."
Sri Slokamrtam -The Sublime Nectar of Vaisnaiva Verses- compiled by Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja and the disciples under his guidence page 91