Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 48 (BG 11.48) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

11.48 न not? वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैः by the study of the Vedas and of Yajnas? न not? दानैः by gifts? न not? च and? क्रियाभिः by rituals? न not? तपोभिः by austerities? उग्रैः severe? एवंरूपः in such form? शक्यः (am) possible? अहम् I? नृलोके in the world of men? द्रष्टुम् to be seen? त्वत् than thee? अन्येन by another? कुरुप्रवीर O great hero of the Kurus.Commentary Mere cramming of the texts of the Vedas without knowing the meaning will not do. A study of the sacrifices also is necessary. One should know the meaning of these? also.Dana Charity such as a Tula Purusha (gift of gold eal in weight of a man) Kanyadana (gift of ones daughther in marriage)? gift of a cow? rice? etc.Kriya Rituals such as Agnihotra.Tapas Such as the Chandrayana Vrata. (This is a kind of Vrata or observance. The daily consumption of food is reduced by one mouthful every day for the dark half of the month beginning with the fullmoon. Then the food is increased by one mouthful every day during the bright fortnight during the increase of the moon. This Vrata (observance) is a great purifier of the mind. It destroys sins.)

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

Here the Blessed Lord clarifies the reason why Arjuna is specially worthy of praise for attaining this extraordinary vision. He declares that neither the study of the Vedas alone nor the performance of sacrifices and rituals bestows upon one the worthiness to behold this universal form. Similarly, the merit acquired through the practice of charity, dharma, or austerity does not grant one the right to this vision. In brief, what is so rare that even rigorous spiritual disciplines cannot easily attain it—Arjuna has obtained. Therefore, he is specially deserving of commendation. One must not misinterpret the Lord's words here to mean that He has disparaged the study of the Vedas or that all these practices are useless and should be abandoned. The intent is this: study, sacrifice, charity, and austerity are all means for purifying the inner faculties and achieving one-pointed focus—which are essential for perceiving unity within multiplicity. However, one must not suppose that sacrifice, charity, and other practices are complete in themselves or are the ultimate goal. The study of the Vedas alone cannot bring about the knowledge of oneness or direct experiential realization. Only when the mind, perfected through practice, becomes free from all mental modifications does this vision become possible in that inward state. The meaning is this: the preparation of food, though skillfully done, cannot by itself satisfy hunger; yet this does not mean that culinary skill is unnecessary. We must understand this verse in this light. The Blessed Lord continues: