In Bhagavad Gita 10.36, Krishna says he is the gambling of the cunning, the splendour of the splendid, victory, determination and the goodness of the good.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि
तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम्
जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि
सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम् ॥ १०-३६ ॥
dyūtaṃ chalayatāmasmi
tejastejasvināmaham
jayo’smi vyavasāyo’smi
sattvaṃ sattvavatāmaham
English transliteration dyootam chhalayataamasmi
tejastejasvinaamaham
jayo’smi vyavasaayo’smi
sattvam sattvavataamaham ॥ 10.36 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Of the deceitful I am gambling; I am the splendour of the splendid. I am victory, I am determination, and I am the goodness of the good.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| द्यूतम् dyūtam | gambling |
| छलयताम् chalayatām | of the deceitful |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| तेजः tejaḥ | splendour |
| तेजस्विनाम् tejasvinām | of the splendid |
| अहम् aham | I |
| जयः jayaḥ | victory |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| व्यवसायः vyavasāyaḥ | determination |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| सत्त्वम् sattvam | goodness |
| सत्त्ववताम् sattvavatām | of the good |
| अहम् aham | I |
Word-wise Chanting
- dyū–taṃ cha–la–ya–tā–mas–mi 8 syllables dyoo-tam chha-la-ya-taa-mas-mi
- te–jas–te–jas–vi–nā–ma–ham | 8 syllables te-jas-te-jas-vi-naa-ma-ham
- ja–yo–‘smi vya–va–sā–yo–‘smi 8 syllables ja-yo-‘smi vya-va-saa-yo-‘smi
- sat–tvaṃ sat–tva–va–tā–ma–ham || 10-36 8 syllables sat-tvam sat-tva-va-taa-ma-ham
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 10 Verse 36
Context
Krishna continues naming his glories (10.21–10.38).
Meaning
Surprisingly, the Divine is even the dyūta, gambling, of the deceitful: the most powerful form of their skill. This shows that all power, even when misused, comes from the Divine. The Divine is also tejas, splendour; jaya, victory; vyavasāya, resolute effort; and sattva, the goodness of the virtuous.
The verse does not approve of gambling. It shows that the Divine is the source of all power, even when beings use it badly. Responsibility for misuse lies with the user.
In Practice
Remember that every ability you have comes from the Divine, and use it today only for good.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yoga (The Divine Manifestations). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.