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Bhagavad Gita 4.34

Chapter 4, Verse 34

Part of 4: Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yogज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोग

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया। उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः॥

Transliteration

tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśhnena sevayā upadekṣhyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśhinaḥ

Meaning

Know that the wise who have realized the truth will instruct thee in that knowledge through long prostration, supplication, and service.

Word-by-word meaning
tatthe Truthviddhitry to learnpraṇipātenaby approaching a spiritual masterparipraśhnenaby humble inquiriessevayāby rendering serviceupadekṣhyantican impartteunto youjñānamknowledgejñāninaḥthe enlightenedtattva-darśhinaḥthose who have realized the Truth
Commentary

Go to the teachers (those who are well versed in the scriptures dealing with Brahman or Brahmasrotris, and who are established in Brahman or Brahmanishthas). Prostrate yourself before them with profound humility and perfect devotion. Ask them estions? O venerable Guru What is the cause of bondage How can I get liberation What is the nature of ignorance What is the nature of knowledge What is the AntarangaSadhana (inward spiritual practice) for attaining Selfrealisation Serve the Guru wholeheartedly. A teacher who is versed in the scriptures (Sastras) but who has no direct Selfrealisaiton will not be able to help you in the attainment of the knowledge of the Self. He who has knowledge of the scriptures and who is also established in Brahman will be able to instruct thee in that knowledge and help thee in the attainment of Selfrealisation. Mere prostrations alone will not do. They may be tinged with hypocrisy. You must have perfect faith in your Guru and his teaching. You must serve him wholeheartedly with great devotion. Now hypocrisy is not possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 34?
Know that the wise who have realized the truth will instruct thee in that knowledge through long prostration, supplication, and service.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 34 of Chapter 4 (Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yog — Path of Knowledge and the Disciplines of Action) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.