The Four Types of Devotees

The Four Types of Devotees

 Bhagawaan Sri Krishna says:‘Four types of virtuous people worship Me, O Arjuna: (a) those in distress, (b) the seeker of material prosperity, (c) the seeker of knowledge, and, (d) the wise.’ (Gita 7.16)

The first type is one who prays to the Lord when he is in difficulty or undergoing trials and tribulations. It is only at such times that he thinks of the Lord and worships Him. The second type is one who entreats the Lord for the blessings of wealth, position and power. The third type is ever engaged in inquiry into Truth. He constantly seeks to know, “Who is God? Where is God? How can I know God? What is my relationship to God? Who am I?” When we enter this stage, we become engaged in all these inquiries in order to gain spiritual knowledge. Finally, when we would have absorbed the teachings within ourselves, we leave this stage behind and become the fourth type of devotee, the knower of the highest Truth, the man of Wisdom.

Once a wealthy man who had four wives had to go abroad for some important business. He spent a few months in a foreign country. Before he returned home, he contacted each of his wives, mentioning that he would be returning home in a few weeks, and if they needed anything, they should send him a list.

His first wife was an unhappy lady; she was suffering from many ailments. She sent him a list of medication. His second wife had a great many desires. She wrote; “Dear husband, please bring me some fine jewelries, some silk dresses and all the fashionable articles that are available there.”

The third wife had a strong spiritual inclination. She wrote to the husband asking for copies of any good books available in that country. She explained that she was always looking for good spiritual books that would inspire her.

His fourth and favourite wife wrote: “Dearest one, I do not need anything for myself. I will be very happy when I know that you have come back home, safe and sound.”

When he returned home, he brought with him whatever they had asked for. The first wife got the latest medicines and tonics. The second wife got beautiful jewels and exquisitely textures silk saris. To the third wife the husband brought the finest copies of the scriptures and other holy books. And then he went to stay with the fourth and favourite wife who had written: “I do not need anything for myself. I will be very happy when I know that you have come back home, safe and sound.”

The other three wives became jealous and sent a message to the husband, saying: “After such a long time without seeing us you have not visited us even once upon your return. What is the reason for this?” The husband replied, “I have given each of you exactly what you asked for. One of you asked for medicines; I brought them. One asked for jewelries; I brought them. One of you asked for books; I brought them. One of you asked for only me; so now she has me.”

The husband is the Lord Himself, and the four wives are the four types of devotees. The Lord will give us exactly what we ask for. If we ask only for Him, He will come and reside in our hearts. God is the Kalpataru – the wish-fulfilling tree, the tree that satisfies our needs. He answers our genuine request. This is His promise.

“Those who always think of Me and engage in exclusive devotion – to them, whose minds are always absorbed in Me, I provide what they lack and preserve what they already possess.

When we are under a wish-fulfilling tree, we must be very careful what we think and ask for. Whatever thoughts we have will surely bear fruit.

(Pandit Ramdial Balbadar is a prominent Aachaarya (Teacher) of Hinduism in Guyana. He is the compiler and author of many titles and has over 30 years experience in Pandits’ Training across Guyana. He is currently the President of the Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha, Region 3).