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Chapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute · 30 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Bhakti & surrenderChapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute
7.157.17

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 7.16

Types of devotees and mature surrender

Īśvara · God

चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जना: सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन ।

आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ ॥ १६ ॥

catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ

janāḥ su-kṛtino ’rjuna

ārto jijñāsur arthārthī

jñānī ca bharatarṣabha

Translation

O best among the Bhāratas, four kinds of pious men begin to render devotional service unto Me – the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Four Kinds of Devotees

  1. 1

    Four kinds of pious people begin serving the Lord: the distressed, those seeking wealth, the curious, and those seeking knowledge of the Absolute Truth.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that they still seek something in return. Pure devotion means lovingly serving Kṛṣṇa without desire for material gain.

  3. 3

    Associate with pure devotees and learn to serve the Lord without material desires.

Key points from the purport

Describes Sukritinas, 4 kinds of pious peope who surrender unto the Lord

a

Sukritinas — Defined as follows:

Pious people

Adherent of regulative principles of Scriptures

Follow moral and social laws

More or less devoted to the Supreme Lord

b

4 categories of Sukritinas (pious men)

Artah – Distressed

Artharthi – wealth seeker

Jijnasu – inquisitive

Jnani – One who desires knowledge of Absolute truth

c

Are they pure devotees — No, because they have some aspiration to fulfil in exchange for devotional service

d

Pure devotional service explained

Render transcendental loving service favorably

Without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculations

e

Destiny of Sukritinas

They follow devotional service for above 4 reasons

In due course, they associate with pure devotees and get purified

Achieve pure devotional service (Ref. Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.1.11) FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 7.16 continued…

f

At what stage do these four Sukritinas become pure devotees

When they are free from all material desires

When they fully understand that material remuneration has nothing to do with spiritual improvement

g

What is the hope for miscreants in regard to devotional service

For them devotional service is very difficult – because their lives are selfish, irregular and without spiritual goals

Is there any hope any time – If by chance they come in contact with a pure devotee, they also become pure devotees

Connected verses · 2

Texts 7.15 & 7.16

“Then who surrenders?”

Texts 7.16 & 7.17

“Who is the best of the four pious people?”

Further reading

The Impious Never Surrender, Pious Do

Four kinds of men never surrender and four kinds of men do surrender

Of those who surrender, the Jnani with no material desire is best but rare

Chapter 7, section IV: The Impious Never Surrender, Pious Do
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. catuḥ-vidhāḥfour kinds of
  2. bhajanterender services
  3. māmunto Me
  4. janāḥpersons
  5. su-kṛtinaḥthose who are pious
  6. arjunaO Arjuna
  7. ārtaḥthe distressed
  8. jijñāsuḥthe inquisitive
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 7.16 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 7 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 7.15Types of devotees and mature surrenderBG 7.17Types of devotees and mature surrenderBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted
Live this todayFreedom Through Surrender to KṛṣṇaA practice from BG 7.14, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction