Question:

According to the Bhagavad Gita, what are the four types of devotees?

(A) The distressed, the inquisitive, the materialistic, and the wise
(B) The ignorant, the envious, the lazy, and the sincere
(C) The passionate, the deluded, the angry, and the greedy
(D) The humble, the grateful, the loving, and the surrendered

Answer:

(A) The distressed, the inquisitive, the materialistic, and the wise.

Explanation: In Chapter 7, Verse 16 of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna describes the four types of devotees. He says, “O best among the Bharatas [Arjuna], four kinds of pious men render devotional service unto Me—the distressed, the inquisitive, the materialistic, and the wise.”

The distressed refers to those who seek God in times of trouble and suffering, hoping for relief from their pain. The inquisitive are those who are curious about spiritual knowledge and seek to understand the nature of God and the universe. The materialistic are those who seek God for material benefits, such as wealth, success, or fame. The wise are those who have transcended material desires and seek God for His own sake, out of pure love and devotion.

Thus, the correct answer is (A) The distressed, the inquisitive, the materialistic, and the wise.