Bhagavad Gita · Verse 7.16
Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (ज्ञानविज्ञानयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन । आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ ॥१६॥
caturvidhā bhajante māṃ janāḥ sukṛtino'rjuna | ārto jijñāsurarthārthī jñānī ca bharatarṣabha ||16||
Complete Shloka Translation
O Arjuna, best of the Bharatas, four kinds of people of good deeds worship Me: the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of prosperity and the wise.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| चतुर्विधाः | catur-vidhāḥ | four kinds / classes |
| भजन्ते | bhajante | worship and seek |
| माम् | mām | Me |
| जनाः | janāḥ | people / souls |
| सुकृतिनः | sukṛtinaḥ | of virtuous deeds and meritorious karma |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |
| आर्तः | ārtaḥ | the afflicted / distressed seeking relief |
| जिज्ञासुः | jijñāsuḥ | the sincere inquirer seeking truth |
| अर्थ-अर्थी | artha-arthī | the seeker of material welfare and security |
| ज्ञानी च | jñānī ca | and the wise enlightened seer |
| भरतर्षभ | bharatarṣabha | O best of the Bharata lineage |
four kinds / classes
worship and seek
Me
people / souls
of virtuous deeds and meritorious karma
O Arjuna
the afflicted / distressed seeking relief
the sincere inquirer seeking truth
the seeker of material welfare and security
and the wise enlightened seer
O best of the Bharata lineage
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
All four seekers are introduced as people of good deeds. The following verses especially praise the wise while continuing to honor the other three forms of approach.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Different needs can become starting points for sincere seeking."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What currently brings you to spiritual seeking?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to look beneath external appearances in your daily life: see the underlying divine spark and interconnectedness in everyone, and seek refuge in timeless values rather than chasing fleeting superficial illusions.