Bhagavad Gita 10.36 · Krishna
Even in the dice game
द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम्।
जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम्॥
dyūtaṃ chalayatāmasmi tejastejasvināmahamjayo’asmi vyavasāyo’asmi sattvaṃ sattvavatāmaham
Of tricksters I am the dice game. I am the brilliance of the brilliant. I am victory, resolve, and the goodness of the good.
Words
- sattva
What it means
This verse has a startling line. Among those who deceive, Krishna says, I am the game of dice. Arjuna would wince. A rigged dice game cost the Pandavas their kingdom. Krishna isn't approving cheating. He's saying that even skill turned to deception draws its power from him. Then he names the light side. Brilliance. Victory. Resolve. Sattva, goodness.
The story
Krishna is being honest. Every power, even one misused, comes from the same source. What makes it good or harmful is how we use it. That's a serious lesson for a warrior about to use great power.
In your life
Imagine a brilliant persuader who could sell anything, using that gift to raise money for a hospice. Same skill, used for good. Ask, how am I using my best gift?
Every gift can serve good or harm. Choose.