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Chapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute · 30 verses

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Bhakti & surrenderChapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute
7.157.17

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 7.16

Types of devotees and mature surrender

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
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Understand it

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

Four Kinds of Devotees

  1. 1Four kinds of pious people begin serving the Lord: the distressed, those seeking wealth, the curious, and those seeking knowledge of the Absolute Truth.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that they still seek something in return. Pure devotion means lovingly serving Kṛṣṇa without desire for material gain.
  3. 3Associate with pure devotees and learn to serve the Lord without material desires.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 7, Knowledge of the Absolute: types of devotees and mature surrender.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Loving service and surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

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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.

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The story behind it

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

All stories for chapter 7 ›
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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

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

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.