Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11 · Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 11.48 न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानैर्-
श्लोक 11.48
न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानैर्-
न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः ।
एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोके
द्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर ॥
na vedayajñādhyayanairna dānair-
na ca kriyābhirna tapobhirugraiḥ |
evaṃrūpaḥ śakya ahaṃ nṛloke
draṣṭuṃ tvadanyena kurupravīra ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे कुरुवीर! मनुष्य लोक में इस प्रकार के रूप वाला मैं न वेदों और यज्ञों के अध्ययन से, न दान से, न कर्मकांड से और न कठोर तप से तुम्हारे सिवा किसी और के द्वारा देखा जा सकता हूँ।
Meaning in English
Not by Vedic study or sacrifice, not by charity, not by rituals, nor by severe austerities can I be seen in this form in the human world by anyone but you, O hero of the Kurus.
Bhagavad Gita 11.48 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैः | na veda-yajña-adhyayanaiḥ | not by study of the Vedas and sacrifices |
| न दानैः | na dānaiḥ | not by gifts |
| न च क्रियाभिः | na ca kriyābhiḥ | nor by rituals |
| न तपोभिः | na tapobhiḥ | nor by austerities |
| उग्रैः | ugraiḥ | severe |
| एवंरूपः | evaṃ-rūpaḥ | in such a form |
| शक्यः | śakyaḥ | can be |
| अहम् | aham | I |
| नृलोके | nṛ-loke | in the world of men |
| द्रष्टुम् | draṣṭum | to be seen |
| त्वदन्येन | tvad-anyena | by anyone other than you |
| कुरुप्रवीर | kuru-pravīra | O great hero of the Kurus |
Explanation
Not by study of the Vedas or sacrifices, not by gifts, not by rituals, nor by severe austerities can I be seen in this form in the world of men by anyone but you, O great hero of the Kurus. Krishna says the vision cannot be earned by any religious practice.
The verse lists the main religious means of its time — Vedic study, sacrifice, charity, ritual, austerity — and says none of them can produce this vision. Shankara reads the compound as study of the Vedas and of sacrificial lore. The point is not that these practices are useless but that the vision of God is not a reward they can purchase. Verses 11.53 and 11.54 repeat the idea and then name the one way that does lead to him: exclusive devotion.
भावार्थ
हे कुरुश्रेष्ठ, मनुष्य-लोक में न वेदों और यज्ञों के अध्ययन से, न दान से, न कर्मकाण्ड से और न कठोर तप से, तुम्हारे सिवा कोई और मुझे इस रूप में नहीं देख सकता।
Living it today
Spiritual practice is not a transaction; do it with love, not as a payment for a reward.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 11.48?
Not by study of the Vedas or sacrifices, not by gifts, not by rituals, nor by severe austerities can I be seen in this form in the world of men by anyone but you, O great hero of the Kurus. Krishna says the vision cannot be earned by any religious practice.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.48?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 11 (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 11.48 in daily life?
Spiritual practice is not a transaction; do it with love, not as a payment for a reward.
Reflected on verse 11.48?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.