The Bhagavad Gita, in its seventh chapter, classifies devotees into four categories. The first group consists of those who turn to God in times of trouble or distress, seeking deliverance from their afflictions.
They are Aartis, who in normal times are so engrossed in their worldly affairs that they have neither time nor inclination to engage in spiritual pursuits. Most of humanity belongs to this group. The second category consists of Jignasus – those with a burning desire to emancipate their lives through spiritual engagements and acquisition of knowledge.
The third group, the most common, Arthartis – those who seek the fulfillment of their wishes and desires and who turn to the divine to remove all obstacles and obstacles in their pursuit. The fourth and last consists of the Gnanis – the realized ones who have already reached a high point in their spiritual journey, but who are relentlessly marching forward to touch the pinnacle, the supreme Atman or divine presence.
Thus we see a clear demarcation of innate natures and dispositions, each acting as driven by their vasanas or behavioral traits acquired over many previous births. “These four are certainly my devotees, but the last one, Gnani, is dearest to me,” says Lord Krishna. Why?
“The first three also turn to me for help, for their welfare and to fulfill their worldly desires. But he, the Gnani, has no desire in his heart. His is Ekabhakti — a single devotion, always seeking only one thing — that his mind may not be deceived by the world and that he may reach me and keep me in his heart and never be dear to him. With such a purified mind, he himself becomes the embodiment of himself, the epitome of true divinity,” says Lord Krishna.
Venerable Swami Chinmayananda gives an eloquent example of friendship with a minister. True, such proximity brings many benefits. (The first three categories). But becoming a minister yourself means unlimited freedom and power. A Gnani is like this, with access to the highest seat of power. But, the Gita eloquently states, to reach such an exalted state requires countless births and efforts. To understand that this universe is a manifestation of the supreme requires endless effort over many lifetimes. “Strive for it, no matter where you are” is the message here.
