न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानै
र्न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः।
एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोके
द्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर।।11.48।।
11.48 Neither by the study of the Vedas and sacrifices, nor by gifts nor by rituals nor by severe austerities can I be seen in this form in the world of men by any other than thyself, O great hero of the Kurus (Arjuna).
11.48 Na veda-yajna-adhyayanaih, not by the study of the Vedas and sacrifices, (i.e.) not by the methodical study of even the four Vedas and the study of the sacrifices-since the study of the sacrifices is achieved by the very study of the Vedas, the separate mention of the study of sacrifices is for suggesting detailed knowledge of sacrifices; [This separate mention of the study of sacrifices is necessary because the ancients understood the study of Vedas to mean learing them by rote.] so also, na danaih, not by gifts-in such forms as distributing wealth eal to the weight of the giver; na ca kriyabhih, not even by rituals-by Vedic and other rituals like Agnihotra etc.; nor even ugraih tapobhih, by severe austerities such a Candrayana [A religious observance or expiatory penance regulated by the moons phases. In it the daily antity of food, which consists of fifteen mouthfuls at the full-moon, is curtailed by one mouthful during the dark fornight till it is reduced to nothing at the new moon; and it is increased in a like manner during the bright fortnight.-V.S.A.] etc. which are frightful; sakyah aham, can I; evam rupam, in this form-possessing the Cosmic form as was shown; drastum, be perceived; nrloke, in the human world; tvad-anyena, by anyone other than you; kuru-pravira, O most valiant among the Kurus.
Na vedayajnaadhyayanairna daanairNa cha kriyaabhirna tapobhirugraih; Evam roopah shakya aham nrilokeDrashtum twadanyena karupraveera.
na—not; veda-yajña—by performance of sacrifice; adhyayanaiḥ—by study of the Vedas; na—nor; dānaiḥ—by charity; na—nor; cha—and; kriyābhiḥ—by rituals; na—not; tapobhiḥ—by austerities; ugraiḥ—severe; evam-rūpaḥ—in this form; śhakyaḥ—possible; aham—I; nṛi-loke—in the world of the mortals; draṣhṭum—to be seen; tvat—than you; anyena—by another; kuru-pravīra—the best of the Kuru warriors
