Bhagavad Gita BG 4.34
Chapter 4, Verse 34 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया । उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥
tad viddhi pranipaten pariprashnena sevaya upadekshyanti te jnanam jnaninas tattva-darshina
Meaning
Know that by prostrating yourself, by sincere inquiry, and by service — the wise who have seen the truth will teach you knowledge.
Understanding
Three conditions for receiving jnana from a teacher: pranipata (prostration — surrender of the ego's 'I already know'), pariprasna (sincere complete inquiry — not adversarial debate but earnest questioning), and seva (service — living in proximity and devotion to the teacher). Tattva-darsinah — those who have SEEN the truth, not merely read about it. Books can inform, but only one who has realized can transmit the living fire of knowledge.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रणिपातेन | pranipatena | by prostration, by surrender of ego |
| परिप्रश्नेन | parprashnen | by sincere complete inquiry |
| सेवया | sevaya | by service, by devoted attendance |
| उपदेक्ष्यन्ति | upadekshyanti | they will teach, they will initiate |
| तत्त्वदर्शिनः | tattva-darsinah | those who have seen the truth |
| तद् | tad | that (knowledge) |
| विद्धि | viddhi | know / learn (imperative) |
| ते | te | to you / for you |
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge / the wisdom (they will impart) |
| ज्ञानिनः | jñāninaḥ | the knowers / the wise ones |