Verse-48
Chapter 11 — Vishwaroop Darshan Yoga
Verse 48
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
na vedayajñādhyayanairņa dānairna ch kriyābhirna tapobhirugraiḥ
evamrūpaḥ śakya ahaṁ nrloke drașțum tvadanyena kurupravīra
🕉 English Translation
Na Vedon ke padhne se na daan se,
Na tap na yagya ke anusthan se.
Viswa roop mere yeh iss lok mein
Na dekha tere bin kisi aur ne.
📜 Translation
English
Foremost of the Kurust in this wor of beings, this niversal form ΟΙ cannot be viewed apart from you by others by reading the Vedas, the performance of dedicated sacrifices, by the study of the scriptures, by charity, by severe austerities or by just mere ceremonial rites.
Means are all good; they are all essential and useful too! But that God can be reached only on the basis of these means, it is not so. Whatever the means may be even if it be the reading of the Vedas, dedicated sacrificial activity, study of scriptures, charity, austerity or any other similar activity, the Gita's sermonizer clearly denies the possibility of God-realization by these means only.
The mention of sacrifice, charity and austerity has been made by the Lord on several occasions in the Gita. On reading this verse it should not be concluded that these activities should be given up; to perform them is one's duty and one should do it; but one should not conclude that on the strength of these activities God will be attained. Along with the means egoism will be acquired. Two drops of liquor mixed in a glass of milk will not allow its purity to be maintained. Means are good but if egoism gets blended with the spiritual and pure activities then it is not desirable. The greatest hurdle in God-realization is this egoism only. No seeker should harbour this impression and idea in his mind that on the strength of his effort he will be able to have a vision of the Lord. Caution and alertness is imperative.
The state of God-realization is possible here in this world and body! It came in the reach of Arjun; behind it there was the grace of the Lord. From His end was bestowed the beneficence of the divine vision. From this understand and take this cue that the attainment of godhood is not effort-based but is attained due to divine beneficence. Endeavour but do not fall prey to egoism, but further progress is made only by the support of His grace! Await the descendence of the divine beneficience. As the grace is being bestowed, effort is being made possible. Have the conviction that realization is not impossible but will become possible. There should not persist any kind of doubt or adverse thinking inside.