476
Aptavani-2
Bhakta – Bhakti – Bhagwan
[Worshipper or Devotee – worship or devotion – God]
Lord Krishna has defined four kinds of worshippers
(bhaktas). There are countless types of non-worshippers and
therefore we only need to know the categories of worshippers.
1. Arta bhakta: The worshipper only thinks of God during
bad times and not during good times. When his leg hurts, he will
pray, “Dear God, dear God, take pity on us.” God understands
that the worshipper thinks of him only when he is in pain. You
see these kinds of worshippers everywhere.
2. Artharthi bhakta: This is a selfish and an opportunistic
worshipper. He will say, “If I get a son, I will do this for you
Lord.” He asks God for a son. He does not understand the
meaning of artharthi (the one who derives the meaning of it all)
and therefore says, “I am an artharthi.”
3. Jignyashu bhakta: This devotee has a strong desire to
do darshan of the God.
4. Gnani bhakta: This devotee feels ‘I am one with God
(the Self)’.
The Lord has said, “The Gnani is my direct Atma. He
destroys not only his own paap karma but will destroy the paap
karma of others too.” That kind of Gnani Purush is here in front
of you.
Out of these four worshippers, the jignyashu bhakta will
achieve his spiritual work. There is no fifth category of
worshippers. Some amongst the non-worshippers are such that