Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 16

This verse is from Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 7, Verse 16. It is written in Sanskrit and translated into Hindi as:

chatur-vidhā bhajante māṁ janāḥ sukṛitino ’rjuna
ārto jijñāsur arthārthī jñānī cha bharatarṣhabha ||16||

English translation:

“O Arjuna! Four types of virtuous people worship me – the unhappy, the inquisitive, the desirous of wealth and the wise endowed with knowledge.”

Detailed explanation:

Lord Krishna says with great compassion that when people come to me, their reasons are different – some are broken by sorrow (Aarta), some want to know ‘Who am I?’ (Jigyasu), some want worldly help (Artharthi), and some love me knowing me to be the truth (Gyani). All these are paths of devotion, none short. Whenever we are broken or in search in life, that too is an invitation to connect with God. No matter where the beginning is, in the end every true heart reaches that ‘Gyani Bhaav’ – where God becomes everything.

English meaning of Sanskrit words:

• chatur-vidhā – four types
• bhajante - worship, do devotion
• māṁ - Jhe (to God)
• janāḥ - people
• sukṛitino – virtuous soul, one who does good deeds
• Arjun - Oh Arjun! (address)
• ārto - unhappy, distressed
• jijñāsur: - curious, desirous of knowing
• arthārthī – one seeking wealth, success or profit
• jñānī - full of knowledge, insightful
• cha - and
• bharatarṣhabha – O best among the Bharatas (respectful address to Arjuna)