Bhagavad Gita BG 11.53
Chapter 11, Verse 53 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया । शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा ॥
naham vedair na tapasa na danena na ca ijyaya shakya evam-vidho drashtum drshTavan asi mam yatha
Meaning
Neither by the Vedas, nor by austerities, nor by gifts, nor by sacrifice can I be seen in such a form as you have seen Me.
Understanding
The extraordinary statement about the Vishvarupa: the cosmic vision that Arjuna just received cannot be obtained by ANY conventional spiritual means. Na vedaih (not by the Vedas), na tapasa (not by austerities), na danena (not by gifts/charity), na ca ijyaya (not by ritual sacrifice). Shakya evam-vidho drashtum (it is not possible to be seen in this form as you have seen). This sets up the next verse — the only means by which one can truly see and enter the Divine is revealed. The Vishvarupa is not a result of practice — it is pure grace.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| वेदैः | vedaih | by the Vedas (Vedic study) |
| तपसा | tapasa | by austerities, tapas |
| दानेन | danena | by gifts, charity, generosity |
| इज्यया | ijyaya | by ritual sacrifice/worship |
| एवंविधः | evam-vidhah | of this kind, in this manner |
| न | na | not |
| अहम् | aham | I |
| वेदैः | vedaiḥ | by the Vedas |
| न | na | nor |
| तपसा | tapasā | by austerity |
| न | na | nor |
| दानेन | dānena | by charity |
| न | na | nor |
| च | ca | and |
| इज्यया | ijyayā | by sacrifice |
| शक्यः | śakyaḥ | possible |
| एवम्-विधः | evam-vidhaḥ | in this way |
| द्रष्टुम् | draṣṭum | to see |
| दृष्टवान् | dṛṣṭavān | you have seen |
| असि | asi | you are |
| माम् | mām | Me |
| यथा | yathā | as |