द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम्।
जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम् ॥36॥
dyūtaṁ chhalayatām asmi tejas tejasvinām aham
jayo ’smi vyavasāyo ’smi sattvaṁ sattvavatām aham
श्लोक ३६: कपटपूर्ण कार्यों में मैं द्यूतक्रीड़ा हूँ और महिमावान मनुष्यों की महिमा हूँ। मैं विजय हूँ, मैं ही प्रयास हूँ, मैं ही धर्मात्माओं की भद्रता हूँ।
Shloka 36: Among the fraudulent activities, I am the gambling and among the lustrous persons, I am their lustre. I am the victory, I am the endeavour, I am the goodness of virtuous people.
Bhagavad Gita 10.36 is a profound verse in which Krishna continues describing His cosmic opulences, explaining how His divine presence permeates even the most unexpected facets of life. Here, Krishna declares that among deceitful pursuits, He is gambling; among the splendid, He is splendor; in victory, He is the triumph; and in strength, He is the vitality of the strong. This sweeping statement reflects the underlying unity of divinity within both the noble and the morally ambiguous, the seen and the unseen, the celebrated and the shunned.
The mention of gambling, a pursuit frequently associated with deceit and trickery, is particularly striking. Krishna’s identification with gambling is not an endorsement of deceit, but a recognition of His all-encompassing nature. Even in a domain known for cunning and unpredictability, the sharpness of intellect, the allure of risk, and the skill required – these too are forms of divine energy. It emphasizes that Krishna is not confined to what humans consider good or admirable; His presence runs through all things, noble and ignoble alike.
By stating "among the splendid, I am the splendor," Krishna points to the unmistakable charisma, brilliance, and luminosity that sets certain people, creations, or moments apart. The radiance of a leader, the magnetism of a performer, or the beauty of a sunrise—these manifestations of glory and allure are but reflections of Krishna’s infinite splendor. Whenever we witness excellence or are inspired by greatness, Krishna asks us to recognize His hand in that brilliance.
Krishna proclaims Himself as victory and as adventure—jayaḥ and vyavasāyaḥ. In every conquest or achievement, in every bold leap into the unknown, the spirit that drives individuals to strive, to overcome, and to explore is Krishna’s own divine urge. The feeling of triumph after hard work or the courage to embark on a risky venture both embody a glimpse of the Lord’s energy. This reminds us that the driving force behind human aspiration and accomplishment is ultimately rooted in the divine.
With “I am the strength of the strong,” Krishna draws attention to the pure, unyielding force that is not merely physical but also intellectual and moral. The inner resilience that empowers people to endure, to uphold truth, and to pursue virtue is another manifestation of Krishna’s continual support in all aspects of life. It is not just brute might, but also the fortitude of character and the resolve of the steadfast. The strength to persevere through adversity and to act with integrity in the face of challenges comes from this same divine source.
The verse, therefore, beautifully underscores that Krishna’s presence is not limited to temples or rituals, but pulses through every vibrant, dynamic, and sometimes even difficult aspect of worldly existence. It invites the reader to see life’s multiplicity as threaded with one underlying divine consciousness, reminding us that the sacred is woven through the fabric of everyday experience—visible in moments of brilliance, victory, strength, and even in those ambiguous, cunning encounters that test our wits.
This recognition invites a shift in perception—from compartmentalizing life into spiritual and worldly, pure and impure, auspicious and inauspicious, towards seeing everything as an arena for perceiving the divine. Krishna’s all-encompassing affirmation in this verse is both humbling and empowering. It encourages us to appreciate every facet of existence as an opportunity to encounter the Lord, deepening our understanding that what we often judge as mundane or even questionable can, at its core, be a manifestation of Krishna’s multifaceted energy.
Thus, the verse gently nudges us towards a holistic vision of divinity—one where all expressions, virtues, and even paradoxes of life are accepted as manifestations of the same infinite consciousness. By learning to recognize Krishna in every adventure, every challenge, every act of brilliance, and every show of strength, we cultivate a sense of unity with the divine, illuminating our journey with meaning and reverence for all of creation.
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