Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 36
Vidura’s Questions: How the Unchangeable Lord Relates to Māyā; Bhakti as the Remedy; Blueprint for the Coming Cosmology
अनुव्रतानां शिष्याणां पुत्राणां च द्विजोत्तम । अनापृष्टमपि ब्रूयुर्गुरवो दीनवत्सला: ॥ ३६ ॥
anuvratānāṁ śiṣyāṇāṁ putrāṇāṁ ca dvijottama anāpṛṣṭam api brūyur guravo dīna-vatsalāḥ
O Bester unter den Brāhmaṇas: Die geistlichen Meister sind den Bedürftigen gegenüber überaus barmherzig. Sie sind stets gütig zu ihren Anhängern, Schülern und Söhnen und verkünden, selbst ungefragt, das ganze Wissen.
There are many subjects to be known from the bona fide spiritual master. The followers, disciples and sons are all on one level for the bona fide spiritual master, and he is always kind to them and always speaks to them on transcendental subjects, even though he is not asked by them. That is the nature of the bona fide spiritual master. Vidura appealed to Maitreya Muni to speak on subjects about which he might not have asked.
FAQs
This verse says a true guru is dīna-vatsala—compassionate to the humble and distressed—and proactively gives beneficial instruction to faithful disciples, even without being asked.
In the Vidura–Maitreya conversation, Vidura approaches as a sincere seeker; Maitreya highlights that genuine spiritual guides naturally teach out of mercy, especially to devoted, receptive students.
Seek guidance with sincerity and humility, and value teachers who correct and instruct for your welfare; likewise, share helpful spiritual wisdom compassionately when someone is receptive, even if they do not phrase a formal question.