Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 34

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया | उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ||

tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattvadarśinaḥ

Know that by prostration, by inquiry, and by service. The wise, who have seen the truth, will teach you knowledge.

Krishna explains how to gain knowledge: 'praṇipātena' (by humility/submission), 'paripraśnena' (by asking questions), 'sevayā' (by service). These three qualities—humility, inquiry, and service—prepare you to receive knowledge from 'jñāninas tattvadarśinaḥ' (the wise who have seen the truth). Humility means letting go of ego, admitting you don't know. Inquiry means asking genuine questions, not just accepting passively. Service means being useful, contributing, showing respect through action. These three together create the right relationship with a teacher—you're humble enough to learn, curious enough to ask, and committed enough to serve. The wise respond to this attitude by teaching knowledge.