Meaning
Supreme God Krishna spoke
O Arjuna, I have four kinds of devotees (Bhaktas) who engage in virtuous deeds and worship Me: those in distress seeking solace, seekers of wisdom, individuals desiring worldly gain, and those blessed with spiritual knowledge and enlightenment. (7:16)
Sanskrit
श्रीभगवान् उवाच
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन ।
आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ॥
Word-by-word
चतुः-विधाः भजन्ते माम् जनाः सु-कृतिनः, अर्जुन!
आर्तः, जिज्ञासुः, अर्थ-अर्थी, ज्ञानी च, भरत-ॠषभ!
Commentary
It is worth noting that God does not regard as His devotees those who do not engage in virtuous deeds or commit evil acts. Therefore, being a noble person is a prerequisite for becoming a devotee of God, as the verse mentions "sukritinah" or the good-doers as His devotees, who are classified into four categories. A doubt may be raised that elsewhere in the Gitā, in verse 9:30, God emphasizes that even a sinner should be considered "noble" when they become His devotee. The answer to this doubt lies in the relevant verse itself, where God clarifies that as soon as one resolves to become God's true devotee, one swiftly transforms into a truly noble and righteous person. Hence, it is implied by this verse that ethics and true spirituality are inseparable.