दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम् ।
मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम् ॥
मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
दमन करनेवालोंमें दण्डनीति और विजय चाहनेवालोंमें नीति मैं हूँ । गोपनीय भावोंमें मौन और ज्ञानवानोंमें ज्ञान मैं हूँ ॥
English
Among enforcers, I am punishment; among those seeking victory, I am policy. Among secrets, I am silence; among the wise, I am knowledge.
What this verse means
Krishna says he appears as rightful force, strategic conduct, silence, and true understanding wherever they are found.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna stands frozen while Krishna reveals 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.
Why this verse still matters
You are in a room where one harsh word could break everything. The strongest move is not volume — it may be restraint, timing, and the calm choice to say only what is true.
The takeaway
Power does not always shout. The deepest strength can look like restraint, quiet, and clear understanding.
Word-by-word translation
दण्डः (punishment/discipline) / दमयताम् (among those who restrain) / अस्मि (I am) / नीतिḥ (policy/right conduct) / अस्मि (I am) / जिगीषताम् (among those who seek victory) । / मौनम् (silence) / च (and) / एव (indeed) / अस्मि (I am) / गुह्यानाम् (among secrets) / ज्ञानम् (knowledge) / ज्ञानवताम् (among the wise) / अहम् (I am)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yoga — The Yoga of Divine Glories, which contains 42 verses.
Explore related themes: vibhuti (43 verses), jnana (24 verses)