Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 17

तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते | प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः ||

teṣāṁ jñānī nitya-yukta eka-bhaktir viśiṣyate priyo hi jñānino 'tyartham ahaṁ sa ca mama priyaḥ

Of these, the one who is in full knowledge and who is always engaged in pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.

Krishna reveals that among the four types, the jnani is most dear. 'Teṣāṁ jñānī nitya-yukta eka-bhaktir viśiṣyate'—of these, the wise one, always engaged, with single devotion, is superior. 'Priyo hi jñānino 'tyartham ahaṁ sa ca mama priyaḥ'—I am very dear to the wise, and he is dear to Me. This verse shows that while all four types are valid, the jnani (wise devotee) is most dear because they have both knowledge and devotion—they understand Krishna completely and serve with single-minded devotion. This connects to verse 7.16's description of the four types and prepares for verse 7.18's elaboration on the jnani.