60 On the Way to Krsna

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 direct-
ed to the proper object. The man in knowledge is
called jfiani—one who has understood his constitu-
tional position. Such a jfiani 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 sukrti—pious—because they are all after
God.
tesam jnani nitya-yukta
eka-bhaktir visisyate
priyo hi jitanino’ tyartham
aham sa ca mama priyah

“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 Krsna con-
scious—visisyate—is best qualified. Indeed, Krsna 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
