Bhagavad Gita 4.34

tad viddhi praṇipātena

paripraśnena sevayā

upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ

jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

 

“Seek the truth with a heart sincere,

Through service, questions, and reverence clear.

The wise who see the truth profound,

Shall lead you where real knowledge is found.”

 

My dear Lord, life can often be so complicated and confusing that knowing the truth about its purpose can seem almost impossible. Let this difficulty not make me discouraged; let it make me humble enough to seek guidance. Throughout history, O merciful Lord, you have provided seekers access to seers. Let me be grateful for the seers I have access to. When learning humbly from such great souls, bless me, my Lord, with the service attitude which acknowledges that learning the truth comes not just by seeking but also by serving.

For it is the sacrifice of ego, implicit in any act of service for a higher cause, that is the pathway to wisdom. You urge me, my Lord, to complement humility and service attitude with curiosity, by which I can use reason and reflection to internalize what I learn. Guide me, O Lord, to avoid extremes: the extreme where humility and service attitude lead to blind following and a slavish mentality; as well as the other extreme where curiosity degenerates into a cynicism that delights in finding faults with every answer and falsifying every truth. O supreme guide, help me find the elusive yet essential balance that will illuminate my way to the life you want for me: a life of truth, purpose, and devotion to you.

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04.34 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.