Shloka 38

Vibhuti Yoga — Vibhuti Yoga

Devanagari script

दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम् । मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम् ॥ १०.३८ ॥

Transliteration

daṇḍo damayatām asmi nītir asmi jigīṣatām | maunaṃ caivāsmi guhyānāṃ jñānaṃ jñānavatām aham || 10.38 ||

Translation

Among those who restrain and discipline I am the rod (authority); among those who seek conquest I am right policy. Among secrets I am silence; among the wise I am knowledge.

Gita Press Meaning

Among those who discipline I am the rod (authority); among those who seek success I am right policy. Among secrets I am silence; among the wise I am knowledge.

Critical Edition Meaning

Among those who restrain I am daṇḍa (sanction/authority); among those who aim to prevail I am nīti (prudence/statecraft). Among hidden matters I am silence; among the knowing I am knowledge.

Comparative Note

daṇḍa is best read as ‘sanction/authority’ (a principle of governance) rather than as a call to harshness. nīti denotes practical wisdom and ethical-political prudence. ‘Silence’ (mauna) is a classical virtue in ascetic and pedagogical contexts.

Word by Word

• दण्डः: punishment; the rod (power of chastisement)
• Root: दण्ड

• दमयताम्: of the restrainers; of those who subdue/control
• Root: √दम् (दमयति)

• अस्मि: I am
• Root: √अस्

• नीतिः: policy; right conduct; prudent guidance
• Root: नीति

• अस्मि: I am
• Root: √अस्

• जिगीषताम्: of those who wish to conquer
• Root: √जि (जिगीषति)

• मौनम्: silence; restraint of speech
• Root: मौन

• च: and
• Root: च

• एव: indeed; alone; emphatically
• Root: एव

• अस्मि: I am
• Root: √अस्

• गुह्यानाम्: of secrets; of the confidential (things/teachings)
• Root: गुह्य

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• Root: ज्ञान

• ज्ञानवताम्: of the wise; of those possessing knowledge
• Root: ज्ञानवत्

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta
• Root: अहम्

Speakers

• Krishna
• Arjuna

Primary Concepts

• Vibhuti
• Ethics of governance
• Silence (mauna)
• Knowledge (jñāna)

Key Themes

• Legitimate authority
• Practical wisdom
• Inner discipline
• Epistemic excellence

FAQs

Psychological significance?

Silence (mauna) can indicate emotional regulation and reflective restraint; knowledge (jñāna) is presented as the stabilizing factor behind wise action.

Metaphysical meaning?

The verse links divinity with both the outward structures of order (authority, policy) and inward structures (silence, knowledge), integrating social and contemplative dimensions.

Contextual relevance?

In classical Indian thought, daṇḍa and nīti belong to political-ethical discourse, while mauna and jñāna belong to ascetic and philosophical discourse; the verse spans both.

Modern Application?

It supports a balanced ideal: firm but measured institutions, practical ethical decision-making, and personal practices of listening, discretion, and ongoing learning.