A declaration · expansive in mood · a little context helps
“True power is measured by restraint, silence, and clear understanding.”
Among enforcers, I am punishment; among those seeking victory, I am policy. Among secrets, I am silence; among the wise, I am knowledge.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallypunishment/discipline · among those who restrain · I am · policy/right conduct · I am · silence · and · indeed · I am · among secrets · knowledge · among the wise · I am
Krishna says he appears as rightful force, strategic conduct, silence, and true understanding wherever they are found.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Vibhuti Yoga" (The Yoga of Divine Glories).
Verse 38 sits in Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita — Vibhuti Yoga, "The Yoga of Divine Glories". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
In a court case over family land, one angry word in the hearing could ruin months of work. Krishna counts silence among secrets and sound policy as his, so restraint and timing are part of acting well.
Did you like this verse?
Punishment, policy, silence and knowledge: Krishna claims the quiet tools of governing alongside the forceful ones.
What this verse means
Krishna says he appears as rightful force, strategic conduct, silence, and true understanding wherever they are found.
Context & commentary
Krishna describes how the divine works through the world. Here Krishna names four forms of his presence: corrective force, wise strategy, silence, and the knowledge that belongs to the wise.
What it looks like today
In a court case over family land, one angry word in the hearing could ruin months of work. Krishna counts silence among secrets and sound policy as his, so restraint and timing are part of acting well.
“Power does not always shout. The deepest strength can look like restraint, quiet, and clear understanding.”
Explore related themes: vibhuti (43 verses), jnana (24 verses)