Bhagavad Gita 10.38 दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम्

Bhagavad Gita 10.38 — word by word

Explanation

Among those who restrain and discipline I am the rod of justice, Krishna says, and among those who seek victory I am wise policy. Among secrets I am silence, and in the wise I am their wisdom. With this verse the long list of particular glories comes to a close.

Daṇḍa, the rod, is the power of just punishment by which rulers keep order and restrain wrongdoing; in the Dharmashastras it protects the weak. Nīti is statecraft and ethical strategy, the right means of winning. Commentators observe that silence is the greatest secret-keeper, since what is not spoken cannot be revealed; others read mauna as the inner silence of contemplation, where the deepest truths are held. The final phrase returns to the theme of verse 32: the knowledge of the knowers is itself a glory of the Divine. This closes the long list of vibhūtis.

भावार्थ

दमन करने वालों में मैं दण्ड हूँ, विजय चाहने वालों में नीति हूँ, गोपनीय बातों में मौन हूँ और ज्ञानियों का ज्ञान मैं हूँ। न्यायपूर्ण दण्ड से व्यवस्था बनी रहती है और नीति से सही उपायों द्वारा विजय मिलती है।

Frequently asked questions