Chapter 11, Verse 48 (Bhagavad Gita 11.48)
Chapter 11: Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog – Yoga through Beholding the Cosmic Form of God
Sanskrit Shloka
न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानै र्न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः। एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोके द्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर
Transliteration
na veda-yajñādhyayanair na dānair na cha kriyābhir na tapobhir ugraiḥ evaṁ-rūpaḥ śhakya ahaṁ nṛi-loke draṣhṭuṁ tvad anyena kuru-pravīra
Word Meanings
na—not; veda-yajña—by performance of sacrifice; adhyayanaiḥ—by study of the Vedas; na—nor; dānaiḥ—by charity; na—nor; cha—and; kriyābhiḥ—by rituals; na—not; tapobhiḥ—by austerities; ugraiḥ—severe; evam-rūpaḥ—in this form; śhakyaḥ—possible; aham—I; nṛi-loke—in the world of the mortals; draṣhṭum—to be seen; tvat—than you; anyena—by another; kuru-pravīra—the best of the Kuru warriors
Translation
Neither by study of the Vedas, nor by penance, nor by charity, nor by ritual sacrifices, can I be seen in this form in the material world by anyone other than you, O Arjuna, the best of the Kurus.
Meaning & Commentary
Bhagwan Shri Krishna here reveals that the vision of His Universal Form is not a commodity to be purchased through ritualistic piety or intellectual scholarship. While Vedas, sacrifices, and austerities are noble, they remain secondary to the spontaneous grace born of pure, unalloyed devotion (bhakti). Shri Krishna emphasizes that He is reached not through the ego-driven performance of religious duties, but through the singular focus of a surrendered heart, like that of Arjuna. This verse serves as a profound reminder to all seekers that divine intimacy is a gift of the Lord's mercy. Only when the soul sheds its pride in worldly achievements does it become qualified to witness the absolute, eternal majesty of Yogeshwar Krishna.