Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 - Vibhuti Yoga - Sloka 38

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of Bhagavad Gita , published by Ramakrishna Mission

Vibhutis Defined - 19-40

1 Gita Sloka  every day - Chapter 10 - Vibhuti Yoga - Sloka 38

Dandah damayatam asmi nitih asmi jigishitam I

Maunam cha eva asmi guhyanam gyanam gyanavatam aham II sloka 38

दण्डः दमयतां अस्मि नीतिः अस्मि जिगिषतां I 

मौनं च एव अस्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतां अहं II श्लोक 38

Of punishers I am the sceptre; of those that seek victory I am statesmanship; and of secrets I am also silence; and I am the wisdom of the wise.

The duty of the monarch is to mete out just punishment to the offender. The sceptre is the symbol of the measured punishment and justice. This done, the accused himself feels that he has been justly handled. Not only does this act reform the convict, but it is also a lesson to the common man. Punishment is therefore the grace of the lord come in this shape. It maybe mentioned here that diseases and ailments are punishments awarded by nature for known and unknown irregularities  in life. Not only does Iswara function as yama, but he aslo functions as the sceptre.

Neeti is rendered here as statesmanship. Right attitude, right relationship and right proceedings are all born of Neeti. Any victory born of the wrong method will not be long lasting; it will only lead to newer complications. Noble means alone lead to noble ends Adoption of a sound policy in a mutual relationship is statesmanship. Such a policy devours of divinity.

Secret is that which is not divulged to others for a valid reason. The technique of harnessing certain resources of nature is kept secret for the exclsuive advantage of the concerned few. The hidden powers of nature are kept secret by others for some other considerations. God knowledge remains a secret to majority not because of a narrow outlook on the part of those who have had god realisation but because of this science being open to only those who are pure in heart nad who have a thirst for sacred knowledge

Of factors associated with secrecy the Lord is silence. He is also the wisdom of the wise.