I cannot be seen in this form in the human world by study of the Vedas, sacrifice, charity, severe austerity, or ritual acts—except by you, Arjuna.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 11.48
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे कुरुप्रवीर मनुष्यलोकमें इस प्रकारके विश्वरूपवाला मैं न वेदोंके पढ़नेसे, न यज्ञोंके अनुष्ठानसे, न दानसे, न उग्र तपोंसे और न मात्र क्रियाओंसे तेरे कृपापात्रके सिवाय और किसीके द्वारा देखा जाना शक्य हूँ ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
नnotवेदयज्ञाध्ययनैःby Veda-study and sacrificesनnotदानैःby giftsनnotचandक्रियाभिःby actionsनnotतपोभिःby austeritiesउग्रैःsevereएवंरूपःof this formशक्यःpossibleअहम्Iनृलोकेin the human worldद्रष्टुम्to be seenत्वदन्येनby anyone other than youकुरुप्रवीरO best of the Kurus
Read literallynot · by Veda-study and sacrifices · not · by gifts · not · and · by actions · not · by austerities · severe · of this form · possible · I · in the human world · to be seen · by anyone other than you · O best of the Kurus
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the mind from achievement to receptivity, showing that the deepest vision cannot be forced.
Krishna says his cosmic form cannot be seen through rituals, study, gifts, or harsh austerity. Only Arjuna, by divine grace, has that vision.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna has already seen Krishna's cosmic form and wants the familiar four-armed form again. Krishna explains that this vision is not won by scholarship, sacrifice, charity, or austerity. It appears only through special grace.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You can read every book, follow every rule, and still miss what matters most. The moment of real seeing often arrives only after the grip of control finally loosens.
The takeaway
“Not every treasure is earned. Some things are given only when the heart is ready.”
Krishna says his cosmic form cannot be seen through rituals, study, gifts, or harsh austerity. Only Arjuna, by divine grace, has that vision.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.48?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga" (The Universal Form).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 11.48?
Verse 48 sits in Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita — Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga, "The Universal Form". The chapter has 55 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 11.48 matter today?
You can read every book, follow every rule, and still miss what matters most. The moment of real seeing often arrives only after the grip of control finally loosens.
It shifts the mind from achievement to receptivity, showing that the deepest vision cannot be forced.
What this verse means
Krishna says his cosmic form cannot be seen through rituals, study, gifts, or harsh austerity. Only Arjuna, by divine grace, has that vision.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna has already seen Krishna's cosmic form and wants the familiar four-armed form again. Krishna explains that this vision is not won by scholarship, sacrifice, charity, or austerity. It appears only through special grace.
Why this verse still matters
You can read every book, follow every rule, and still miss what matters most. The moment of real seeing often arrives only after the grip of control finally loosens.
“Not every treasure is earned. Some things are given only when the heart is ready.”