Not by reciting the Vedas, not by considering the meaning of sacrifice by studying the Kalpa-sūtras and Mīmāṁsā scriptures, not by charity to qualified people, not by actions of agnihotra sacrifice and other rituals, not by torturing the body drying it up with intense penance, does one qualify to see the universal form. Without bhakti, none of these methods would allow one to see the form. This form was visible to Arjuna and the devas because they had devotion.
Not by reciting the Vedas, not by considering the meaning of sacrifice by studying the Kalpa-sūtras and Mīmāṁsā scriptures, not by charity to qualified people, not by actions of agnihotra sacrifice and other rituals, not by torturing the body drying it up with intense penance, does one qualify to see the universal form. Without bhakti, none of these methods would allow one to see the form. This form was visible to Arjuna and the devas because they had devotion. Neither sādhana nor personal endeavor can enable one to see the form because it can be seen only by devotees who have received special benediction to see it. It was not possible for humans of this planet to see that form but it was possible for the many devas who are devotees to see that form, since they were not on this planet.