Bhagavad Gita 10.36 द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम्

Bhagavad Gita 10.36 — word by word

Explanation

Of those who deceive, Krishna says, I am the game of dice. I am the splendour of the splendid. I am victory, I am determined effort, and I am the goodness of the good. Even a surprising entry like dice appears, because it is the strongest of its kind.

This verse surprises many readers, since it was a rigged game of dice that cost the Pandavas their kingdom. Shankara explains that dice is simply the most powerful of all deceptions, and the vibhūti list names the strongest in each class without praising it; Krishna is not endorsing cheating. Others see it as a reminder that nothing, not even trickery, exists apart from the Divine's power. Vyavasāya is resolute effort, and sattva can mean both goodness and inner strength.

भावार्थ

छल करने वालों में मैं जुआ हूँ, तेजस्वियों का तेज मैं हूँ। मैं ही विजय हूँ, मैं ही दृढ़ निश्चय हूँ और सात्त्विक पुरुषों का सत्त्व मैं हूँ। जुए का नाम छल की सबसे प्रबल शक्ति के रूप में लिया गया है, उसकी प्रशंसा के लिए नहीं।

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