Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 Verse 38 (10.38)

Reflective Prompt:

When you encounter excellence, talent, or outstanding beauty in any field, how do you perceive it?

▪ Option 1: As the personal achievement of that individual alone.
▪ Option 2: As a small spark of the infinite glory and energy of the Divine.

दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम् । मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम् | | १०-३८ | |

daṇḍo damayatāmasmi nītirasmi jigīṣhatām maunaṁ chaivāsmi guhyānāṁ jñānaṁ jñānavatāmaham

Word-by-word guide:

Line 1:

दण्डः (dandah) — दंड(among discipliners I am the rod of authority)
दमयताम् (damayatam) — दंड देने वालों में(among discipliners I am the rod of authority)
अस्मि (asmi) — मैं हूं(among secrets I am silence)
नीतिः (nitih) — नीति(among those who seek victory I am wise policy)
अस्मि (asmi) — मैं हूं(among secrets I am silence)
जिगीषताम् (jigishatam) — विजय चाहने वालों में(among those who seek victory I am wise policy)

Line 2:

English: I am the Sceptre of rulers, the Strategy of the conquerors, the Silence of mystery, the Wisdom of wise people.

💡 Commentary Note

He is the rod of punishers, the policy of seekers of victory, the silence of secrets, and the Gyan of the wise.

Learnings from Shloka 38:

The Power of Silence:: Silence is the safest guardian of secrets and the most profound form of spiritual contemplation.
Justice and Policy:: Fair discipline and ethical strategies are expressions of the cosmic law of balance.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 10.38 with their Hindi and English meanings.