Verse 7.17
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते | प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः ||१७||
Transliteration (IAST)
teṣāṁ jñānī nityayukta ekabhaktirviśiṣyate | priyo hi jñānino'tyarthamahaṁ sa ca mama priyaḥ ||17||
Word-by-Word Meanings
तेषाम्-among them
ज्ञानी-the wise one
नित्ययुक्तः-ever united
एकभक्तिः-single-pointed devotion
विशिष्यते-is distinguished
प्रियः-dear
Translation
Of these, the wise one who is ever united with Me in single-pointed devotion is the best. For I am exceedingly dear to the wise, and he is dear to Me.
Commentary
Among the four types of devotees, the jnani is supreme because his devotion is selfless and constant. The mutual love between God and the wise devotee is emphasized - this is not one-sided worship but a relationship of reciprocal affection. Ramanuja sees this as the pinnacle of bhakti merged with jnana.
Themes
bhaktijnana