The Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form

Krishna explains that the cosmic form cannot be seen through ordinary means. 'Na veda-yajña-adhyayanair na dānair'—not (na) by study of the Vedas (veda-adhyayanaiḥ), not (na) by sacrifices (yajña), not (na) by charity (dānaiḥ). 'Na ca kriyābhir na tapobhir ugraiḥ'—not (na) by actions (kriyābhiḥ), not (na) by severe (ugraiḥ) austerities (tapobhiḥ). 'Evaṁ-rūpaḥ śakya ahaṁ nṛ-loke draṣṭuṁ tvad anyena'—in this form (evaṁ-rūpaḥ), I (aham) am not possible (na śakya) to see (draṣṭum) in the human world (nṛ-loke) by any other (tvad anyena) than you. Krishna emphasizes that the cosmic form cannot be achieved through study, sacrifices, charity, rituals, or even severe austerities—it can only be seen through grace, as Arjuna has experienced. This verse shows that the cosmic vision is not something that can be earned or achieved through effort—it's a gift of grace.