Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of ActionKrishna
Verse 34
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 4, श्लोक 34
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया।
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः॥
Transliteration
Tad Viddhi Pranipatena Pariprashnena Sevaya.
Upadekshyanti Te Jnanam Jnaninas-Tattva-Darshinah.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
तत्tatthat
विद्धिviddhiknow/learn
प्रणिपातेनpranipatenaby prostration/humble approach
परिप्रश्नेनpariprashnenaby inquiry
सेवयाsevayaby service
उपदेक्ष्यन्तिupadekshyantiwill teach/instruct
तेteto you
ज्ञानम्jnanamknowledge
ज्ञानिनःjnaninahthe wise/knowers
तत्त्वदर्शिनःtattva-darshinahseers of truth
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
उस ज्ञान को प्रणिपात (नम्रता से प्रणाम), प्रश्न और सेवा द्वारा जानो। तत्त्वदर्शी ज्ञानी तुम्हें उस ज्ञान का उपदेश देंगे।
English Translation
Learn that knowledge by humble prostration, by inquiry, and by service. The wise who have seen the truth will instruct you in that knowledge.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna prescribes the threefold method of acquiring spiritual knowledge: pranipata (humble approach to a teacher), pariprasna (sincere questioning), and seva (selfless service). Knowledge does not come to the arrogant or the lazy — it flows from teacher to student through a relationship of humility, genuine inquiry, and devoted service. This verse establishes the importance of the guru-disciple relationship.