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Chapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge · 42 verses

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Soul & knowledgeChapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge
4.334.35

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.34

The humility of real inquiry

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्न‍ेन सेवया ।

उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥ ३४ ॥

tad viddhi praṇipātena

paripraśnena sevayā

upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ

jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

Translation

Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Learning from a Spiritual Master

  1. 1Learn the truth from a self-realized spiritual master by asking humbly and serving him.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that a genuine spiritual master belongs to the line of teachers from the Lord and passes on His message unchanged.
  3. 3Ask questions to gain clear understanding, with humility and a willingness to serve—not blind following.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 4, Transcendental Knowledge: spiritual master, knowledge and removal of doubt.

What it teaches

Study note

A method for receiving knowledge is explicitly prescribed.

How it feels

Interpretive

Receptivity

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Spiritual knowledge

Approach a spiritual master through inquiry and service.

Spiritual master

Approach a self-realized teacher with inquiry and service.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is my questioning aimed at understanding, or merely at winning an argument?

Practice

Ask a thoughtful question and listen without defensiveness.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 4 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 4.38Spiritual master, knowledge and removal of doubtBG 7.19Types of devotees and mature surrenderBG 4.2Ancient lineage of Krishna’s teachingBG 4.3A confidential teaching given to a friend

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.