BG 4.34

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया ।
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥
tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

Word-for-word meanings

viddhi — assimilate;  tat — this [wisdom];  praṇipātena — through self-submission;  paripraśnena — through in-depth inquiry;  sevayā — [and] through unconditional service;  darśinaḥ — the seers;  tattva — [of] the truth;  jñāninaḥ — who are established in enlightened awareness;  upadekṣyanti — will instruct;  te — you;  jñānam — in this wisdom.

Translation

You are to assimilate this wisdom through self-submission, in-depth inquiry, and unconditional service. The truth-seers who are established in enlightened awareness will instruct you in this wisdom.

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Patitpavan DasBhagavad Gītā readerClosed — Satisfied

Asked 24 Oct 2026, 22:04

Reader question

Why is विद्धि translated as "assimilate", instead of "know it"?

विद् ज्ञाने is the root

  1. Admin Answered

    The translator wishes to convey that the process of praṇipāta, paripraśna, and sevā, should be used to absorb knowledge [with a view of practicing it], not just know it like you would read a book.