In Bhagavad Gita 11.53, Krishna says he cannot be seen as Arjuna has seen him by Vedic study, austerity, charity or sacrifice.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा
न दानेन न चेज्यया
शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं
दृष्टवानसि मां यथा ॥ ११-५३ ॥
nāhaṃ vedairna tapasā
na dānena na cejyayā
śakya evaṃvidho draṣṭuṃ
dṛṣṭavānasi māṃ yathā
English transliteration naaham vedairna tapasaa
na daanena na chejyayaa
shakya evamvidho drashtum
drishtavaanasi maam yathaa ॥ 11.53 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Not by the Vedas, nor by austerity, nor by charity, nor by sacrifice can I be seen in the way that you have seen Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| अहम् aham | I |
| वेदैः vedaiḥ | by the Vedas |
| न na | not |
| तपसा tapasā | by austerity |
| न na | not |
| दानेन dānena | by charity |
| न na | not |
| च ca | and |
| इज्यया ijyayā | by sacrifice |
| शक्यः śakyaḥ | can be |
| एवंविधः evaṃvidhaḥ | in this way |
| द्रष्टुम् draṣṭum | seen |
| दृष्टवान् dṛṣṭavān | have seen |
| असि asi | you |
| माम् mām | Me |
| यथा yathā | as |
Word-wise Chanting
- nā–haṃ ve–dair–na ta–pa–sā 8 syllables naa-ham ve-dair-na ta-pa-saa
- na dā–ne–na na cej–ya–yā | 8 syllables na daa-ne-na na chej-ya-yaa
- śak–ya e–vaṃ–vi–dho draṣ–ṭuṃ 8 syllables shak-ya e-vam-vi-dho drash-tum
- dṛṣ–ṭa–vā–na–si māṃ ya–thā || 11-53 8 syllables drish-ta-vaa-na-si maam ya-thaa
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 11 Verse 53
Context
Krishna repeats that ordinary means cannot produce this vision (11.52–11.54).
Meaning
Repeating the theme of 11.48, Krishna stresses that no external means, scripture, austerity, generosity or worship, can by itself produce this vision. Something more is needed, which the next verse reveals.
The repetition prepares for the key answer. All practices are valuable, but they are not the essential key.
In Practice
Reflect: if not practices alone, what opens the door to the Divine? Hold the question until you read the next verse.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (The Vision of the Universal Form). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.