Verse 10.36
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् | जयोवस्मि व्यवसायोवस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम् ||३६||
Transliteration (IAST)
dyutam chalayatam asmi tejas tejasvinam aham | jayo 'smi vyavasayo 'smi sattvam sattvavatam aham ||36||
Word-by-Word Meanings
Translation
Among deceitful practices I am gambling; I am the splendor of the splendid; I am victory; I am determination; and I am the goodness of the good.
Commentary
Even gambling, which involves chance and deception, manifests divine power - for Krishna pervades all existence without exception. This does not endorse gambling but acknowledges that even in negative domains, the principle of excellence is divine. Victory, determination, and sattva (goodness) represent the positive expressions of divine energy in human endeavor. Ramanuja clarifies that Krishna claims sovereignty over all phenomena, not moral approval of all actions.