In Bhagavad Gita 7.16, Krishna says four kinds of virtuous people worship him: the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth and the wise.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां
जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन
आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी
ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ ॥ ७-१६ ॥
caturvidhā bhajante māṃ
janāḥ sukṛtino’rjuna
ārto jijñāsurarthārthī
jñānī ca bharatarṣabha
English transliteration chaturvidhaa bhajante maam
janaah sukritino’rjuna
aarto jijnaasurarthaarthee
jnaanee cha bharatarshabha ॥ 7.16 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Four kinds of virtuous people worship Me, O Arjuna: the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the wise, O best of the Bharatas.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| चतुर्विधाः caturvidhāḥ | four kinds |
| भजन्ते bhajante | worship |
| माम् mām | Me |
| जनाः janāḥ | people |
| सुकृतिनः sukṛtinaḥ | virtuous |
| अर्जुन arjuna | O Arjuna |
| आर्तः ārtaḥ | the distressed |
| जिज्ञासुः jijñāsuḥ | the seeker of knowledge |
| अर्थार्थी arthārthī | the seeker of wealth artha (wealth) + arthī (seeker) |
| ज्ञानी jñānī | the wise |
| च ca | and |
| भरतर्षभ bharatarṣabha | O best of the Bharatas |
Word-wise Chanting
- ca–tur–vi–dhā bha–jan–te māṃ 8 syllables cha-tur-vi-dhaa bha-jan-te maam
- ja–nāḥ su–kṛ–ti–no–‘rju–na | 8 syllables ja-naah su-kri-ti-no-‘rju-na
- ār–to ji–jñā–su–rar–thār–thī 8 syllables aar-to ji-jnaa-su-rar-thaar-thee
- jñā–nī ca bha–ra–tar–ṣa–bha || 7-16 8 syllables jnaa-nee cha bha-ra-tar-sha-bha
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 7 Verse 16
Context
Krishna describes the different kinds of people who turn to him (7.16–7.18).
Meaning
Four types of good people approach the Divine: the ārta, in trouble, seeking relief; the jijñāsu, curious and seeking to understand; the arthārthī, seeking material help or prosperity; and the jñānī, the wise one who knows the Divine and loves it for its own sake. All are called sukṛtin, virtuous, because they turn to God.
The Gita accepts every sincere motive for approaching the Divine. Many people begin with prayer in times of need. Over time, their relationship can deepen from asking to knowing to loving. Every starting point is honoured.
In Practice
Reflect honestly on why you most often turn to the Divine. Accept that motive, and let it gradually deepen into love.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (Knowledge and Realisation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.