Bhagavad Gita · Verse 11.48
Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (विश्वरूपदर्शनयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानैर्न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः । एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोके द्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर ॥४८॥
na vedayajñādhyayanairna dānairna ca kriyābhirna tapobhirugraiḥ | evaṃrūpaḥ śakya ahaṃ nṛloke draṣṭuṃ tvadanyena kurupravīra ||48||
Complete Shloka Translation
Hero of the Kurus, neither study of Vedas and sacrifices, nor gifts, rituals or severe austerities can enable anyone else in the human world to behold Me in this form.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| दान | dāna | giving |
| उग्रतपस् | ugratapas | severe austerity |
| वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न | na | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
| दानैर्न | vedayajñādhyayanairna | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
| क्रियाभिर्न | dānairna | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
| तपोभिरुग्रैः | ca | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
| एवंरूपः | kriyābhirna | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
| शक्य | tapobhirugraiḥ | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
| अहं | evaṃrūpaḥ | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
| नृलोके | śakya | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
| द्रष्टुं | ahaṃ | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
| त्वदन्येन | nṛloke | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
| कुरुप्रवीर | draṣṭuṃ | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
| ४८ | tvadanyena | [term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu... |
giving
severe austerity
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
[term] in context of Hero of the Kurus, neither stu...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The verse limits what these practices alone can secure in this particular vision. It does not declare study, giving or disciplined practice worthless.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Do not treat sacred practice as a means of purchasing revelation."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can practice remain sincere without demanding a reward?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to dissolve petty ego: see yourself as a humble instrument (Nimitta-matram) of a vastly larger cosmic intelligence. Let go of personal anxiety over outcomes, doing your duty with courage and dedication.