Complete learning edition. The Sanskrit source remains separate from attributed word meanings, translation, explanation and commentary witnesses. Diagrams and memory aids are study tools, not replacements for the source text.
नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया। शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा।।11.53।।
nāhaṁ vedair na tapasā na dānena na chejyayā śhakya evaṁ-vidho draṣhṭuṁ dṛiṣhṭavān asi māṁ yathā
It is not possible to see Me as you have done through studying the scriptures, performing austerities, giving gifts, or making sacrifices.
English rendering by Shri Purohit Swami. Each source voice remains named.
Build the sentence from its parts
Read across once, then cover the meanings and recover them from the Sanskrit forms.
| Sanskrit form | Meaning here |
|---|---|
| na | never |
| aham | I |
| vedaiḥ | by study of the Vedas |
| na | never |
| tapasā | by serious penances |
| na | never |
| dānena | by charity |
| na | never |
| cha | also |
| ijyayā | by worship |
| śhakyaḥ | it is possible |
| evam-vidhaḥ | like this |
| draṣhṭum | to see |
| dṛiṣhṭavān | seeing |
| asi | you are |
| mām | me |
| yathā | as |
This Cosmic Form which thou hast seen so easily cannot be obtained either by the study of the Vedas and the six modes of philosophy, nor by the practice of manifold austerities (penances), nor by charity, nor by sacrifices of various kinds. Arjuna was indeed very fortunate in seeing the Cosmic Form.
Attributed explanatory witness: Swami Sivananda. Chapter lens: Sequence request, granted sight, description, response, revelation, fear, apology and return to the familiar form.
Three named reading witnesses
Śaṅkara edition witness
Swami GambiranandaNot through the Vedas, nor by austerity, nor by gifts, nor even by sacrifice can I be seen in this form as you have seen Me.
Rāmānuja edition witness
Swami AdidevanandaSri Krishna says, "I cannot be seen in such a form as You have seen Me, not by the Vedas, nor by austerities, nor by gifts, nor by sacrifice."
Sivananda commentary witness
Swami SivanandaThis Cosmic Form which thou hast seen so easily cannot be obtained either by the study of the Vedas and the six modes of philosophy, nor by the practice of manifold austerities (penances), nor by charity, nor by sacrifices of various kinds. Arjuna was indeed very fortunate in seeing the Cosmic Form.
These are concise, attributed reading witnesses from identified editions. They are presented for comparison and are not merged into one anonymous interpretation.
Meaning map
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- 1
It is not possible to see Me as you have done through studying the scriptures, performing austerities, giving gifts, or making sacrifices
- 2
na: never
- 3
cha: also
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Sequence request, granted sight, description, response, revelation, fear, apology and return to the familiar form.
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Three questions for this verse
- 1
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- 2
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- 3
How does Arjuna respond?
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