Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 7 Jnana Vijnana Yogah

चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जना: सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन |
आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ ||16||

Four kinds of virtuous people worship Me, Arjuna—the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the wise.

Jijnasur: Seeker of knowledge.
Artharthi: Seeker of wealth or material gains.
Bhajante: Worship or adore.

The diverse motives of devotees provide a nuanced understanding of how people approach divinity. Krishna’s inclusivity assures that all sincere seekers are on a valid path, irrespective of their initial intent.

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तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते |
प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रिय: ||17||

Of these, the wise, who is ever steadfast and devoted to the One, excels. I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.

Ekabhaktir: Single-minded devotion.
Vishishyate: Excels or surpasses.
Priyo: Dear or beloved.

Krishna highlights the wisdom of single-minded devotion, connecting it to true understanding of the self and the divine. This commentary builds on earlier discussions of devotion as superior to other paths.

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उदारा: सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् |
आस्थित: स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् ||18||

All these are indeed noble, but the wise one, who is absorbed in Me, is verily My own self. Such a devotee is supremely dear to Me.

Udarah: Noble or generous.
Yuktatma: Self-controlled or united with the soul.
Gatim: Path or ultimate goal.

Krishna acknowledges the nobility of all devotees while emphasizing the unparalleled connection between the wise and the divine. This verse deepens Arjuna’s understanding of spiritual relationships.

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बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते |
वासुदेव: सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभ: ||19||

After many births, the wise one surrenders to Me, knowing that I am all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.

Vasudevah: Supreme Lord or Krishna.
Mahatma: Great soul.
Sudarshanah: Rare to behold.

The rarity of realizing Krishna as the ultimate truth underscores the spiritual journey’s depth. This verse ties back to themes of striving, grace, and the culmination of wisdom over lifetimes.

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Jnana Vijnana Yogah - Driven by their desires, those whose knowledge has been stolen by illusion worship other deities, following their own natures.

कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञाना: प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवता: |
तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियता: स्वया ||20||

Driven by their desires, those whose knowledge has been stolen by illusion worship other deities, following their own natures.

Kamaih: By desires.
Anya-devatah: Other deities.
Niyatah: Regulated or bound by nature.

Krishna describes how material desires drive people to worship other deities, setting up a contrast between fleeting gains and the eternal benefits of devotion to the Supreme.

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यो यो यां यां तनुं भक्त: श्रद्धयार्चितुमिच्छति |
तस्य तस्याचलां श्रद्धां तामेव विदधाम्यहम् ||21||

Whatever form a devotee desires to worship with faith, I make that faith of his steady.

Shraddha: Faith or belief.
Arcitum: To worship or revere.
Tam: That or him.

The connection between faith and divine will highlights Krishna’s nurturing role in guiding devotees toward their chosen paths, even when their understanding is partial or limited.

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स तया श्रद्धया युक्तस्तस्याराधनमीहते |
लभते च तत: कामान्मयैव विहितान्हि तान् ||22||

Endowed with that faith, he worships the particular deity and obtains his desires, which are granted only by Me.

Aradhanam: Worship or adoration.
Vihitan: Ordained or sanctioned.
Labhete: Obtains or gains.

Krishna explains how devotees, empowered by faith, achieve worldly desires through other deities while reinforcing that He remains the ultimate source of all outcomes.

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