Bhagavad Gita 10.36 — The Lord as Splendor, Victory, Determination and Goodness
द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् ।
जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम् ॥ १०.३६ ॥
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The Blessed Lord said: Among deceivers I am gambling; among the splendid I am splendor; I am victory; I am determination; and among the virtuous I am goodness.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| dyūtam | gambling |
| chhalayatām | among deceivers, among cheats |
| asmi | I am |
| tejaḥ | splendor |
| tejasvinām | among the splendid |
| aham | I |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| jayaḥ | victory |
| asmi | I am |
| vyavasāyaḥ | determination, resolve |
| asmi | I am |
| sattvam | goodness, strength of character |
| sattvavatām | among the virtuous |
| aham | I |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| dyūtam | gambling | jayaḥ | victory |
| chhalayatām | among deceivers, among cheats | asmi | I am |
| asmi | I am | vyavasāyaḥ | determination, resolve |
| tejaḥ | splendor | asmi | I am |
| tejasvinām | among the splendid | sattvam | goodness, strength of character |
| aham | I | sattvavatām | among the virtuous |
| aham | I | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here, Lord Krishna mentions the gambling of the deceitful, the splendour of the splendid, victory, determination and the goodness of the good. The verse is striking because it includes even a questionable activity in the list, showing that all power and energy ultimately flow from the Lord, while also setting it beside qualities of genuine excellence.
Essence
The Source of All Power, for Good or Ill
Dyūtaṁ chalayatām asmi (among the cheats, I am gambling): This phrase may surprise us. Why would the Lord name gambling as His manifestation? The point is not that He approves of cheating. It is that the Lord is the source of all power, including the cleverness and energy that human beings choose to misuse. Even the power that fuels a deceiver comes from Him, though the choice to misuse it belongs to the individual. This acknowledgment of the full range of power is also a quiet warning: what is divine in origin can be corrupted by free will.
Tejas tejasvinām aham (I am the splendour of the splendid): This is the brilliance, charisma and radiance of powerful and capable people. Genuine glory is a reflection of the Lord.
Jayo 'smi (I am victory): When someone achieves success, whether in a contest, a struggle or a challenge, the Lord is present in that victory.
Vyavasāyo 'smi (I am determination): The word vyavasāya means resolute effort, the firm decision to pursue a goal. This is the quality that carries a person through obstacles.
Sattvaṁ sattvavatām aham (I am the goodness of the good): Sattva is the quality of clarity, purity and harmony. In those whose nature is established in sattva, the Lord is the very goodness that makes them so.
Free Will and Responsibility
The first example reminds us that power is morally neutral until directed. The last four, splendour, victory, determination and goodness, are qualities that become truly admirable when used within dharma. The verse invites us to examine how we direct the energy we have been given.
Message for Everyday Life (Directing Energy Towards the Good)
Choose how to use your talents: Intelligence, charm and determination can be used to build or to harm. Ask yourself what your abilities serve.
Cultivate determination and goodness together: Resolve without goodness can become ruthless, and goodness without resolve may remain ineffective. Aim for both.
The Source of All Power, for Good or Ill
Dyūtaṁ chalayatām asmi (among the cheats, I am gambling): This phrase may surprise us. Why would the Lord name gambling as His manifestation? The point is not that He approves of cheating. It is that the Lord is the source of all power, including the cleverness and energy that human beings choose to misuse. Even the power that fuels a deceiver comes from Him, though the choice to misuse it belongs to the individual. This acknowledgment of the full range of power is also a quiet warning: what is divine in origin can be corrupted by free will.
Tejas tejasvinām aham (I am the splendour of the splendid): This is the brilliance, charisma and radiance of powerful and capable people. Genuine glory is a reflection of the Lord.
Jayo 'smi (I am victory): When someone achieves success, whether in a contest, a struggle or a challenge, the Lord is present in that victory.
Vyavasāyo 'smi (I am determination): The word vyavasāya means resolute effort, the firm decision to pursue a goal. This is the quality that carries a person through obstacles.
Sattvaṁ sattvavatām aham (I am the goodness of the good): Sattva is the quality of clarity, purity and harmony. In those whose nature is established in sattva, the Lord is the very goodness that makes them so.
Free Will and Responsibility
The first example reminds us that power is morally neutral until directed. The last four, splendour, victory, determination and goodness, are qualities that become truly admirable when used within dharma. The verse invites us to examine how we direct the energy we have been given.
Message for Everyday Life (Directing Energy Towards the Good)
Choose how to use your talents: Intelligence, charm and determination can be used to build or to harm. Ask yourself what your abilities serve.
Cultivate determination and goodness together: Resolve without goodness can become ruthless, and goodness without resolve may remain ineffective. Aim for both.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has named the energies of cleverness, splendour, victory, determination and goodness. The next verse turns to the Lord's own presence in the Pāṇḍava family, in the sage Vyāsa and in the wise poet Uśanā, bringing the catalogue close to Arjuna himself.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Persistence is quiet greatness.
Kindness is strength in its gentlest form.
Real brilliance warms rather than blinds.
Winning begins with the mind's decision.
Power is a trust, never a toy.
Character outlasts every success.
Firm purpose makes the way clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Lord say He is 'dyūtam' (gambling) among 'chhalayatām' (deceivers)?
Does this verse recommend gambling?
What does 'tejaḥ tejasvinām' (splendor among the splendid) mean?
What do 'jayaḥ' (victory) and 'vyavasāyaḥ' (determination) represent?
What is 'sattvam' (goodness) among 'sattvavatām' (the virtuous)?
Explore related topics
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