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On the Way to Krṣṇa
gent. They are always researching to understand things. They may ask, “What is God?” and then conduct scientific research to find out. They are also considered pious because their research is directed to the proper object. The man in knowledge is called  jñānī —one who has understood his constitutional position. Such a  jñānī  may have an impersonal conception of God, but because he is taking shelter of the ultimate, the Supreme Absolute Truth, he is also to be considered pious. These four types of men are called  sukṛtī —pious—because they are all after God.
teṣām jñānī nitya-yukta  
 eka-bhaktir viśiṣyate  
 priyo hi jñānino’ tyartham  
 aham sa ca mama priyaḥ
“Of these, the wise one who is in full knowledge in union with Me through pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.” (Bg. 7.17)
Out of the four classes of men who approach God, he who is philosophically trying to understand the nature of God, who is trying to become Krṣṇa conscious— viśiṣyate —is best qualified. Indeed, Krṣṇa says that such a person is very dear to Him because he has no other business than understanding God. The others are inferior. No one has to pray to God to ask for anything, and he who does so is foolish because he does not know that the all-knowing God is within his heart and is well aware when he is in distress or in need of money. The wise man realizes this and