Chapter 7 — Gyan Vigyan Yoga

Verse 16
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka

caturvidhā bhajante māṁ janāḥ sukṛtino'rjuna

ārto jijñāsurarthārthī jnani ch bharatarşabha

🕉 English Translation

Dhan chahane wala aur jo dukhee,

Jigyasu satya ka aur gyani bhi.

Bhakt char mere hain Arjun! Yehi,

Uttam karne wale sabhi.

📜 Translation English

Best in the clan of Bharatas, Arjun! The performers of virtuous deeds who may be the seeker of wealth, those in distress, seekers of knowledge and man of wisdom-four types of such devotees worship Me.

💬 Commentary English

After using the word 'dushkritno' (eveil doers) in the foregoing verse, here in this verse the word 'sukrtino' (doers of good deeds) is used; along with warning there is a marvellous expression of inspiration! When the being is not under the refuge of the Lord, does not like to become His, he will be under the subjugation of maya then the tendencies and inclinations will be towards evil deeds. But in whatever manner and whatever spirit the being becomes inclined towards the Lord then naturally he will be inspired and interested in performing good deeds. In straight terms turning away from the Lord is the start point of evil actions and moving towards the Lord is the beginning of virtuous deeds. For this reason in the previous verse the use of the word evil doer and in this verse doers of virtuous deeds are in themselves important hints.


Four types of devotees; but all of them are the performers of virtuous deeds-the spirit of the performers of good deeds should be there so that the embodied being in whatever manner may towards the worship of the Lord and seek the refuge of the Divine. It is good to be so; now his steps will move towards virture.


'Artharthi'-the one desirous of worldly wealth and objects worships and undertakes spiritual and religious dedicated activites or seeks refuge in the Lord just as Sugreev, Vibhishan did and with special reference to Dhruv who due to sarcastic remarks of his step-mother and on being told by his mother that if he desired to have the right of being in the lap of his father and to be the heir to his kingdom then he should seek the refuge in the Supreme Father of all. He made a firm resolve and on encountering several obstacles remained unmoved. He attained the Lord and even though not desiring also got the kingdom.


'Artah'-those who worship the Lord for getting relieved of their distress! Faced with some adversity, suffering, or grave sorrow, and not finding a way to be free of them invoked the Lord and came under His shelter. The elephant was caught by the crocodile and when he found no way to get free he called out for the Lord and he could save himself from that terrible suffering! Draupadi called out to the Lord in distress. In the open court Dushashan dared to commit an evil act. But the call to the Lord was with single-pointedness! The Lord manifested Himself as cloth. The entire court looked in amazement. Draupadi could get relief from that unbearable dire misfortune. To deprive the Pandavas of their descendants the Divine weapon of Brahma was directed by Ashwatthama towards the womb of Uttara. Uttara cried out piteously! Manifesting Himself in the shape of a thumb the Lord Himself protected her! Several such examples are to be found in every age.


Though the aim of such devotees is not the attainment of the Divine yet it is for their selfish ends and to relieve themselves from suffering! But the good aspect of this is that these devotees instead of knocking at the door of anyone in the world take shelter in the Lord. The attainment of the purpose or deliverance from the suffering is also through the Blessed Lord! This is good. If today one has approached Him for any worldly objective or for deliverance from suffering; gradually when the influence of divine emotions will grow it is certain that then he will come in the category of seekers. It is possible. Therefore, association with Lord somehow or the other is the best thing to do. It is imperative that in such states the emotions should be true and the faith should be unswerving. If the emotions are deceitful and faith of the mind is weak and faltering and wavering then end will not be acheieved.


'Jigayasuh'-are the third type of devotee. How to remain in the world untouched by the effect of favorable and unfavourable, for the seeker there is just one kind of earnestness-who am I? Why have I come into this world? What is the aim of life? How will it be achieved? The Supreme who has created this world where can He be found? From whom everything is acquired how is He to be attained? The seeker means the one who has in himself the curiosity to seek for the essential truth principle, keenness to attain the Lord, to immerse oneself in His devotion emotionally, and lose oneself in His love. The name of Uddhavji is taken with great regard amongst such seekers. The sermon of knowledge in the eleventh section of Srimad Bhagvad Purana to Uddhav is an ideal inspiration for the devoted seekers.


The fourth type of devotee is the men of wisdom! Different from all and outstanding! In union with the Supreme power those who view every circumstance as the play of the Divine, in every being they see habitating the consciousness of the same divine! Neither can such devotees remain distanced from the Lord nor can the Lord remain away from them. Otherwise, Sanak, etc. celebates, Shukdevji are the ideal devotees with the knowledge of this category, but the state of the gopis of Vraja is in no way of any less importance. Naradji in his Bhaktisutra has described only one ideal of such devotion-that is 'yatha vraja gopika naam' (as gopis of vraja). Immersed in the rapturous emotions for Kanhaiya their state is not of any restricted devotion but that of 'jit dekhun tit shyammayi hai' wherever we see we see only Shyam...'samah sarvesu bhutesu madbhaktim labhate param (Gita 18/54). The yogi who sees equally in all beings attains to My highest devotion-this is the glorious state of the gopis of vraja! The name of Prahlad can also be put in this category. So many troubles and so many enticements but beyond all of them he remained steadfast in divine consciousness; he was never under the influence of any other emotions, no expectation, no complaints either. On being asked for a boon he put forward none-I have attained You...what else should I ask for? If You have to grant in any case then grant that the desire to ask should be removed for ever. In truth, blessed and of single determination are these devotees.

Undoubtedly, all devotees are great, are the performers of the the deeds of highest order; but the superiority of the man of wisdom is established.

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