तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते । प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः ॥
teṣāṃ jñānī nityayukta ekabhaktivirśiṣyate | priyo hi jñānino'tyarthamahaṃ sa ca mama priyaḥ ||
Translation
Of these, the wise one — ever steadfast, with one-pointed devotion — excels. I am exceedingly dear to the wise, and the wise is dear to Me.
Interpretation
Among the four types, the jnani is supreme — not because the others are less valued, but because the jnani's relationship with the Divine is qualitatively different. They are nitya-yukta (ever united) and eka-bhakti (one-pointed devotion — no other object competes for their love). And Krishna makes it personal and reciprocal: 'I am exceedingly dear to the wise' — the Divine is the jnani's deepest love — 'and the wise is dear to Me.' This mutual deerness is the heart of realized devotion. They are not two separate beings who love each other; they have become the recognition of each other.