Bhagavad Gita · Verse 11.53
Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (विश्वरूपदर्शनयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया । शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा ॥५३॥
nāhaṃ vedairna tapasā na dānena na cejyayā | śakya evaṃvidho draṣṭuṃ dṛṣṭavānasi māṃ yathā ||53||
Complete Shloka Translation
Neither through the Vedas, nor austerity, nor giving, nor worship can I be seen as you have seen Me.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तपस् | tapas | austerity |
| इज्या | ijyā | worship |
| नाहं | nāhaṃ | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
| वेदैर्न | vedairna | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
| तपसा | tapasā | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
| दानेन | na | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
| चेज्यया | dānena | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
| शक्य | na | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
| एवंविधो | cejyayā | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
| द्रष्टुं | śakya | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
| दृष्टवानसि | evaṃvidho | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
| मां | draṣṭuṃ | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
| यथा | dṛṣṭavānasi | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
| ५३ | māṃ | [term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor... |
austerity
worship
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
[term] in context of Neither through the Vedas, nor...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This verse repeats the limits of external attainment before 11.54 names undivided devotion. It does not dismiss the ethical or spiritual value of these practices.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Let practice cultivate sincerity rather than claims to entitlement."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What makes a practice sincere rather than transactional?
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.