In plain words
Neither through the Vedas, nor tapas, nor gifts, nor yajña can I be seen in this form, in the way you have seen Me.
Word for word
Not by the Vedas, not by austerity, not by gifts and not by sacrifice can I, in such a form, be seen as you have seen Me.
नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्ययाशक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा
Other commentaries
The commentators
▸Bhagavadgītābhāṣyam
कस्मात् ? —
न अहं वेदैः ऋग्यजुःसामाथर्ववेदैः चतुर्भिरपि, न तपसा उग्रेण चान्द्रायणादिना, न दानेन गोभूहिरण्यादिना, न च इज्यया यज्ञेन पूजया वा शक्यः एवंविधः यथादर्शितप्रकारः द्रष्टुं दृष्टावान् असि मां यथा त्वम् ॥ ५३ ॥
In plain words
On what ground? —
Not through the Vedas — not the Ṛg, not the Yajur, not the Sāma, not the Atharva, not even studying all four together. Not through the fiercest austerities, the harshest fasts. Not through giving away cows, land, gold. Not through worship, sacrifice, or ritual reverence, however sincere. I, exactly as I showed myself to you, cannot be seen that way by anyone. You have seen me. Only you.
Close to the Sanskrit
From what (cause)? —
Not by the Vedas — the Ṛg, Yajur, Sāma, [and] Atharva Vedas — even by all four; not by austerity, fierce, such as the lunar fast; not by giving, such as cows, land, [and] gold; nor by worship, sacrifice, [or] reverence — am I, of such a kind, in the manner as shown, able to be seen, as you have seen [me], as you [have].