Among those four, the wise devotee who is ever united and one-pointed is श्रेष्ठ. For I am exceedingly dear to the wise one, and the wise one is dear to me.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 7.17
Hindi · हिन्दी
उन चार भक्तोंमें मेरेमें निरन्तर लगा हुआ, अनन्यभक्तिवाला ज्ञानी अर्थात् प्रेमी भक्त श्रेष्ठ है क्योंकि ज्ञानी भक्तको मैं अत्यन्त प्रिय हूँ और वह भी मेरेको अत्यन्त प्रिय है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
तेषाम्among themज्ञानीthe wise oneनित्ययुक्तःever unitedएकभक्तिःone-pointed in devotionप्रियःdearहिindeedज्ञानिनःof the wise oneअत्यर्थम्greatly, exceedinglyअहम्Iसःthat oneचandममto meप्रियःdear
Read literallyamong them · the wise one · ever united · one-pointed in devotion · dear · indeed · of the wise one · greatly, exceedingly · I · that one · and · to me · dear
Understanding the verse
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It shifts devotion from neediness to intimate understanding.
Among the four kinds of devotees, the wise one who is constantly devoted and single-minded stands highest. Krishna says this devotee is very dear to him, and he is very dear to that devotee.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, with Arjuna still shaken, Krishna has just described four kinds of people who turn to him. Now he crowns the wise devotee as the highest: the one whose devotion is steady, exclusive, and intimate. This verse sets up the deeper claim that follows.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You finally understand someone you once only admired from a distance. The relationship changes when attention, trust, and knowledge stop competing and start reinforcing each other.
The takeaway
“Love deepens when understanding and devotion become one.”
Explore related themes: bhakti(69 verses), jnana(24 verses)
Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 7.17 mean?
Among the four kinds of devotees, the wise one who is constantly devoted and single-minded stands highest. Krishna says this devotee is very dear to him, and he is very dear to that devotee.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 7.17?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Vijnana Yoga" (Knowledge and Wisdom).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 7.17?
Verse 17 sits in Chapter 7 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Vijnana Yoga, "Knowledge and Wisdom". The chapter has 30 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 7.17 matter today?
You finally understand someone you once only admired from a distance. The relationship changes when attention, trust, and knowledge stop competing and start reinforcing each other.
It shifts devotion from neediness to intimate understanding.
What this verse means
Among the four kinds of devotees, the wise one who is constantly devoted and single-minded stands highest. Krishna says this devotee is very dear to him, and he is very dear to that devotee.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, with Arjuna still shaken, Krishna has just described four kinds of people who turn to him. Now he crowns the wise devotee as the highest: the one whose devotion is steady, exclusive, and intimate. This verse sets up the deeper claim that follows.
Why this verse still matters
You finally understand someone you once only admired from a distance. The relationship changes when attention, trust, and knowledge stop competing and start reinforcing each other.
“Love deepens when understanding and devotion become one.”
Explore related themes: bhakti (69 verses), jnana (24 verses)