नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया ।
शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा ॥
शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
जिस प्रकार तुमने मुझे देखा है, इस प्रकारका चतुर्भुजरूपवाला मैं न तो वेदोंसे, न तपसे, न दानसे और न यज्ञसे ही देखा जा सकता हूँ ॥
English
I cannot be seen in this form through the Vedas, austerity, charity, or sacrifice, as you have seen me.
What this verse means
Krishna says that this divine form cannot be fully reached through scripture, austerity, charity, or ritual alone. Arjuna has seen it because a deeper devotion has opened the way.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna has just been overwhelmed by Krishna’s cosmic form and then calmed by the return to a gentler shape. Krishna now explains that this four-armed vision is not won by study, discipline, gifts, or ritual. The sight Arjuna received came through a deeper opening.
Why this verse still matters
You can read every book, follow every practice, and still miss what matters. In the moment you finally admit you cannot force understanding, a deeper seeing can arrive.
The takeaway
Trying harder is not enough; the heart must be turned toward the divine.
Word-by-word translation
न अहं (not I) / वेदैः (by the Vedas) / न तपसा (not by austerity) / न दानेन (not by charity) / न च ईज्यया (and not by sacrifice) / शक्यः (possible) / एवम्-विधः (of this kind) / द्रष्टुम् (to be seen) / दृष्टवान् असि (you have seen) / माम् (me) / यथा (as)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga — The Universal Form, which contains 55 verses.
Explore related themes: tapas (22 verses)