न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानैर्न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः ।
एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोकेद्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर ॥
एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोकेद्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे कुरुप्रवीर मनुष्यलोकमें इस प्रकारके विश्वरूपवाला मैं न वेदोंके पढ़नेसे, न यज्ञोंके अनुष्ठानसे, न दानसे, न उग्र तपोंसे और न मात्र क्रियाओंसे तेरे कृपापात्रके सिवाय और किसीके द्वारा देखा जाना शक्य हूँ ॥
English
I cannot be seen in this form in the human world by study of the Vedas, sacrifice, charity, severe austerity, or ritual acts—except by you, Arjuna.
What this verse means
Krishna says his cosmic form cannot be seen through rituals, study, gifts, or harsh austerity. Only Arjuna, by divine grace, has that vision.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna has already seen Krishna's cosmic form and wants the familiar four-armed form again. Krishna explains that this vision is not won by scholarship, sacrifice, charity, or austerity. It appears only through special grace.
Why this verse still matters
You can read every book, follow every rule, and still miss what matters most. The moment of real seeing often arrives only after the grip of control finally loosens.
The takeaway
Not every treasure is earned. Some things are given only when the heart is ready.
Word-by-word translation
न (not) / वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैः (by Veda-study and sacrifices) / न (not) / दानैः (by gifts) / न (not) / च (and) / क्रियाभिः (by actions) / न (not) / तपोभिः (by austerities) / उग्रैः (severe) / एवंरूपः (of this form) / शक्यः (possible) / अहम् (I) / नृलोके (in the human world) / द्रष्टुम् (to be seen) / त्वदन्येन (by anyone other than you) / कुरुप्रवीर (O best of the Kurus)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga — The Universal Form, which contains 55 verses.