Chapter 10, Verse 36

द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् | जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्वं सत्ववतामहम् ॥36॥

dyūtaṁ chhalayatām asmi tejas tejasvinām aham | jayo ’smi vyavasāyo ’smi sattvaṁ sattvavatām aham

"Of the fraudulent I am gambling; I am the splendor of the splendid. I am victory, I am resolve, and I am the goodness of the virtuous."

Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 10.36 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.

Detailed Meaning

In this verse, Bhagavan Krishna reveals that He is the source of all potencies, even those perceived as negative or neutral when misused. By claiming to be the 'gambling of the deceivers,' He signifies that the intellectual faculty and the element of chance underlying even deceit originate from Him, though the moral choice lies with the individual. He identifies as 'Tejas' (brilliance/influence), 'Jaya' (victory), and 'Vyavasāya' (the resolute determination required to achieve any goal). Finally, He is 'Sattva,' the essential quality of purity and harmony in those who are virtuous. The teaching emphasizes that while the 'powerhouse' (God) provides the energy, the 'user' (the soul) is responsible for whether that energy illuminates or destroys.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core message of Gita 10.36?

Of the fraudulent I am gambling; I am the splendor of the splendid. I am victory, I am resolve, and I am the goodness of the virtuous.

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