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Chapter 10 · The Opulence of the Absolute · 42 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Krishna’s natureChapter 10 · The Opulence of the Absolute

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 10.36

Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations

Īśvara · God

द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् ।

जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम् ॥ ३६ ॥

dyūtaṁ chalayatām asmi

tejas tejasvinām aham

jayo ’smi vyavasāyo ’smi

sattvaṁ sattvavatām aham

Translation

I am also the gambling of cheats, and of the splendid I am the splendor. I am victory, I am adventure, and I am the strength of the strong.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Kṛṣṇa’s Greatness Is All-Sided

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa is the gambling of cheats, splendor, victory, adventure, and the strength of the strong.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa’s greatness is all-sided: no one can surpass Him, even in deceit.

  3. 3

    When you see splendor, victory, or strength, remember Kṛṣṇa’s greatness.

Further reading

Krishna’s Opulences Krishna Describes The Most Prominent Among His

limitless, all-pervading opulences

Names His opulences and then explains that these opulences simply indicate a fraction of His glory

Because He pervades and supports the entire universe with a mere fragment of His total potency

Chapter 10, section IV: Krishna’s Opulences Krishna Describes The Most Prominent Among His
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dyūtamgambling
  2. chalayatāmof all cheats
  3. asmiI am
  4. tejaḥthe splendor
  5. tejasvināmof everything splendid
  6. ahamI am
  7. jayaḥvictory
  8. asmiI am
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 10.36 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 10 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

Live this todaySeeing Kṛṣṇa in TimeA practice from BG 10.33, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.