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Chapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge · 42 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Soul & knowledgeChapter 4 · Transcendental Knowledge

4.33 4.35

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 4.34

The humility of real inquiry

Jīva · The soul

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

Understand it

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

3 study points

Learning from a Spiritual Master

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

Key points from the purport

Approach bona-fide spiritual master — Acquire transcendental knowledge by enquiry, submission and service

Bona fide path of religion

Only that religion which comes from Lord and His disciplic succession (Ref. SB. 6.3.19 “dharmam tu…”)

Manufacturing one’s own process is the fashion of foolish pretenders

Non bona fide paths — mental speculations, dry arguments, independent study of books

Secret of progress — Satisfaction of self-realized spiritual master

Proper combination for spiritual understanding — Inquiry and submission

How inquiries are effective — By submission and service

One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine understanding

When the student is submissive and always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquires become perfect

Text 4.34 condemns blind following and absurd inquiries

How it feels

Receptivity