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Chapter 10 · The Opulence of the Absolute · 42 verses

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Krishna’s natureChapter 10 · The Opulence of the Absolute
10.3710.39

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 10.38

Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations

दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम् ।

मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम् ॥ ३८ ॥

daṇḍo damayatām asmi

nītir asmi jigīṣatām

maunaṁ caivāsmi guhyānāṁ

jñānaṁ jñānavatām aham

Translation

Among all means of suppressing lawlessness I am punishment, and of those who seek victory I am morality. Of secret things I am silence, and of the wise I am the wisdom.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

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

Kṛṣṇa’s Forms of Wisdom

  1. 1Kṛṣṇa is punishment that restrains lawlessness, morality for victory, silence among secrets, and wisdom among the wise.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that wisdom distinguishes matter from spirit—God’s inferior and superior natures. This knowledge is Kṛṣṇa Himself.
  3. 3Use silence in hearing, thinking, and meditating; the purport says silence helps one progress very quickly.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 10, The Opulence of the Absolute: krishna’s divine opulences and manifestations.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Recognize Kṛṣṇa as the source of all.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 10.38 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.

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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 10.19Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestationsBG 10.20Krishna’s divine opulences and manifestationsBG 11.32Krishna reveals Himself as timeBG 11.51Composure returns in Krishna’s personal presence

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

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.