Chapter 7 · Jnana Vijnana Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge and WisdomKrishna
Verse 16
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 7, श्लोक 16
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन।
आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ॥
Transliteration
Chatur-vidha bhajante mam janah sukritino'rjuna
Arto jijnasur-artha-arthi jnani cha bharatarshabha
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
चतुर्विधाःchatur-vidhahfour kinds
भजन्तेbhajanteworship
माम्mamMe
जनाःjanahpeople
सुकृतिनःsukritinahvirtuous/pious
अर्जुनarjunaO Arjuna
आर्तःartahthe distressed
जिज्ञासुःjijnasuhthe seeker of knowledge
अर्थार्थीartha-arthithe seeker of wealth
ज्ञानीjnanithe man of wisdom
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे भरतश्रेष्ठ अर्जुन! चार प्रकार के सुकृती (पुण्यात्मा) मनुष्य मुझे भजते हैं — आर्त (दुःखी), जिज्ञासु, अर्थार्थी (धन चाहने वाला) और ज्ञानी।
English Translation
Four kinds of virtuous people worship Me, O Arjuna — the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the man of wisdom, O best of Bharatas.
Commentary (टीका)
All four types of devotees are called virtuous because they turn to God, unlike those described in the previous verse. Each begins the journey from a different motivation — suffering, curiosity, desire for prosperity, or wisdom. Krishna appreciates all of them, for even approaching God with selfish motives is the beginning of spiritual evolution.