Bhagavad Gita BG 7.17
Chapter 7, Verse 17 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते । प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः ॥
tesham jnani nitya-yukta eka-bhaktir vishishyate priyo hi jnanino 'tyartham aham sa ca mama priyah
Meaning
Of these, the jnani — always united, of single devotion — excels. I am exceedingly dear to the jnani, and the jnani is dear to Me.
Understanding
The jnani stands out (vishishyate) for two reasons: nitya-yukta (always united — not just occasionally in meditation but continuously) and eka-bhakti (single devotion — one-pointed). The mutual love between jnani and Krishna is extraordinary: priyo hi jnanino atyartham aham — I am EXCEEDINGLY (atyartham — beyond measure) dear to the jnani. Sa ca mama priyah — and the jnani is dear to Me. A mutual, personal love — the deepest non-dual knowing expressed as the deepest love. The jnani's love for Krishna is not separate from the recognition that they are one.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| नित्ययुक्तः | nitya-yuktah | always united, perpetually yoked |
| एकभक्तिः | eka-bhaktih | of single devotion, one-pointed in devotion |
| विशिष्यते | vishishyate | excels, stands out, is distinguished |
| अत्यर्थम् | atyartham | exceedingly, beyond measure |
| प्रियः | priyah | dear, beloved |
| तेषाम् | teṣām | of them, among them |
| ज्ञानी | jñānī | the man of wisdom |
| नित्य-युक्तः | nitya-yuktaḥ | always united (in yoga) |
| एक-भक्तिः | eka-bhaktiḥ | one-pointed devotion |
| विशिष्यते | viśiṣyate | is distinguished, excels |
| प्रियः | priyaḥ | dear, beloved |
| हि | hi | indeed, for |
| ज्ञानिनः | jñāninaḥ | of the wise one |
| अहम् | aham | I am |
| सः | saḥ | he |
| च | ca | and |
| मम | mama | My |
| प्रियः | priyaḥ | dear one |