BG 10.38 daṇḍo damayatām asmi

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Bhagavad Gita – Chapter 10, Verse 38

Sanskrit (Transliteration):
daṇḍo damayatām asmi
nītir asmi jigīṣatām
maunaṁ caivāsmi guhyānāṁ
jñānaṁ jñānavatām aham

Translation (English):
“I am the power of punishment among those who discipline; I am the policy of victory among those who seek conquest; I am silence among secrets; and I am the wisdom of the wise.”

Meaning:

In this verse, Krishna continues describing His divine manifestations (Vibhuti Yoga):

• Daṇḍa (punishment) – the force that maintains order and discipline.

• Nīti (policy/morality) – the righteous strategy that leads to true victory.

• Mauna (silence) – the sacred silence that protects deep truths.

• Jñāna (knowledge) – the true wisdom present in the wise.

The teaching emphasizes that divine presence expresses itself not only in grand cosmic forms but also in principles like justice, strategy, silence, and wisdom.

If you’d like, I can also share a commentary from a specific tradition (Advaita, ISKCON, etc.).