In Bhagavad Gita 10.38, Krishna says he is the rod of those who restrain, the wise policy of those seeking victory, the silence of secrets and the knowledge of the knowers.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
दण्डो दमयतामस्मि
नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम्
मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां
ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम् ॥ १०-३८ ॥
daṇḍo damayatāmasmi
nītirasmi jigīṣatām
maunaṃ caivāsmi guhyānāṃ
jñānaṃ jñānavatāmaham
English transliteration dando damayataamasmi
neetirasmi jigeeshataam
maunam chaivaasmi guhyaanaam
jnaanam jnaanavataamaham ॥ 10.38 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Of those who restrain, I am the rod of discipline; of those who seek victory, I am wise policy. Of secrets I am silence, and of the knowers I am knowledge.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| दण्डः daṇḍaḥ | the rod of discipline |
| दमयताम् damayatām | of those who restrain |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| नीतिः nītiḥ | wise policy |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| जिगीषताम् jigīṣatām | of those who seek victory |
| मौनम् maunam | silence |
| च ca | and |
| एव eva | also |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| गुह्यानाम् guhyānām | of secrets |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| ज्ञानवताम् jñānavatām | of the knowers |
| अहम् aham | I |
Word-wise Chanting
- daṇ–ḍo da–ma–ya–tā–mas–mi 8 syllables dan-do da-ma-ya-taa-mas-mi
- nī–ti–ras–mi ji–gī–ṣa–tām | 8 syllables nee-ti-ras-mi ji-gee-sha-taam
- mau–naṃ cai–vās–mi guh–yā–nāṃ 8 syllables mau-nam chai-vaas-mi guh-yaa-naam
- jñā–naṃ jñā–na–va–tā–ma–ham || 10-38 8 syllables jnaa-nam jnaa-na-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 38
Context
Krishna completes the list of particular glories (10.21–10.38).
Meaning
Daṇḍa, the rod of discipline, is the power that restrains wrongdoing; nīti, ethical strategy, is the means of rightful victory; mauna, silence, is the deepest of secrets, since what is not spoken cannot be revealed; and jñāna is the essence of every wise person.
Silence as the highest secret is worth contemplating. The deepest truths are found in inner stillness, not in words.
In Practice
Spend ten minutes in complete silence today, without speaking, reading or listening to anything.
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.