Sloka 34
Sloka 34
Original Text:
तमाराध्य गुरुं भक्त्या प्रह्वप्रश्रयसेवनैः । प्रसन्नं तमनुप्राप्य पृच्छेज्ज्ञातव्यमात्मनः ॥ ३४ ॥
Certainly! Here is the detailed analysis of the given sloka:
- **Transliteration:**
``` tamārādhya guruṃ bhaktyā prahvapraśrayasevanaiḥ | prasannaṃ tamanuprāpya pṛcchejjñātavyamātmanaḥ || 34 || ```
- **Translation:**
``` Worship that Guru with devotion, humility, and service; having pleased him, seek to know from him that which is to be known about the Self. ```
- **Word Meanings:**
* **tam** - that (referring to the Guru) * **ārādhya** - having worshiped * **guruṁ** - the Guru * **bhaktyā** - with devotion * **prahva** - humble * **praśraya** - with respect * **sevanaiḥ** - through service * **prasannam** - pleased * **tam** - him (again referring to the Guru) * **anuprāpya** - having approached * **pṛcchet** - should ask * **jñātavyam** - that which is to be known * **ātmanaḥ** - about the Self
- **Commentary:**
The sloka underlines the importance of a Guru or spiritual teacher in the Vedantic tradition. To understand the profound truths of the Self or ātman, one must first seek a realized Guru. The process involves approaching the Guru with a deep sense of devotion (bhakti), humility, and sincere service. The verse suggests that it's not merely external actions but the inner attitude of reverence and dedication that is crucial.
The seeker, called sadhaka, must perform seva (service) selflessly to express genuine respect and gratitude, leading the Guru to be pleased (prasanna). The state of being prasanna reflects a Guru’s openness and readiness to impart knowledge. Once this relationship of trust and respect is established, the disciple can inquire into the higher knowledge, specifically concerning the understanding of the Self.
This paradigm highlights that spiritual knowledge requires grace, and this grace can be invoked through sincere spiritual practice and right attitude towards the Guru. Understanding and realization of ātman, the ultimate purpose of life in Vedanta, is not purely intellectual but demands transformative guidance from a compassionate and enlightened teacher.
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