Wisdom deepens devotion.
Krishna speaks to Arjuna
तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते |प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः ||७-१७||
teṣāṃ jñānī nityayukta ekabhaktirviśiṣyate . priyo hi jñānino.atyarthamahaṃ sa ca mama priyaḥ ||7-17||
Use this verse to deepen devotion beyond requests.
Meaning
Among them, the wise devotee, ever united and single-pointedly devoted, is special. I am very dear to the wise, and they are dear to Me.
Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).
In plain words
The wise devotee has deep mutual love with Krishna.
Word-by-word meaning
Tap a word to see its meaning.
Explanation
Krishna honors all devotees, but highlights the one whose devotion is steady, wise, and one-pointed.
Read the traditional commentary
Among the four devotees, Krishna singles out the jñani — the wise one who is nitya-yukta (ever united) and eka-bhakti (devoted to the One alone). What distinguishes this devotee is purity of motive: they do not come for relief or gain but love God for God's own sake. Their devotion is single, steady, and unwavering, asking nothing in return.
The verse glows with mutual love. 'I am exceedingly dear to the wise, and he is dear to Me.' This is not a transaction but a relationship of the heart, where the lover and the Beloved delight in one another.
The Gita here reveals that the summit of the spiritual path is not cold detachment but the warmest intimacy. The wise are dearest to God precisely because they want nothing from Him but Him.
In daily life
Move from need-based prayer to loving remembrance.
A devotee may first pray for help but later remember Krishna out of love.
Try this today
Offer one prayer of love without asking for anything.
I love Krishna and seek Him with wisdom.Reflect
Is my devotion only need-based or also love-based?
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Quick check
What does ‘नित्ययुक्तः’ mean in this verse?
The Gita on intimacy, in other chapters
- Verse 11.44 · ArjunaThe Supreme Lord can be loved as father, friend, and beloved — infinite greatness and tender intimacy are one.
- Verse 18.64The deepest spiritual truths are shared not as commands but as tender gifts of love to the beloved devotee.
- Verse 10.8When you truly grasp that everything flows from the Divine, knowledge naturally blossoms into love and worship.
- Verse 12.2A mind fixed on God, steady practice, and supreme faith together make the most complete yogi.
Swipe left for 7.18 · Make Krishna the goal, not only the means.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 7.17
Who says Bhagavad Gita 7.17, and to whom?
Krishna speaks to Arjuna in verse 7.17, in Chapter 7, Jnana Vijnana Yoga (Jnana Vijnana Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 7.17 mean?
Among them, the wise devotee, ever united and single-pointedly devoted, is special. I am very dear to the wise, and they are dear to Me. (Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).)
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 7.17 for daily life?
Move from need-based prayer to loving remembrance. A devotee may first pray for help but later remember Krishna out of love.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 7.17 mean?
तेषाम् — of them (the four); ज्ञानी — the wise / man of knowledge; नित्ययुक्तः — ever steadfast / constantly united; एकभक्तिः — devoted to the One; विशिष्यते — excels / is the best.
Where does verse 7.17 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 17 of 30 in Chapter 7, Jnana Vijnana Yoga. The next verse is 7.18.