Complete learning edition. The Sanskrit source remains separate from attributed word meanings, translation, explanation and commentary witnesses. Diagrams and memory aids are study tools, not replacements for the source text.
दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम्। मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम्।।10.38।।
daṇḍo damayatām asmi nītir asmi jigīṣhatām maunaṁ chaivāsmi guhyānāṁ jñānaṁ jñānavatām aham
I am the scepter of rulers, the strategy of conquerors, the silence of mystery, and the wisdom of the wise.
English rendering by Shri Purohit Swami. Each source voice remains named.
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| Sanskrit form | Meaning here |
|---|---|
| daṇḍaḥ | punishment |
| damayatām | amongst means of preventing lawlessness |
| asmi | I am |
| nītiḥ | proper conduct |
| asmi | I am |
| jigīṣhatām | amongst those who seek victory |
| maunam | silence |
| cha | and |
| eva | also |
| asmi | I am |
| guhyānām | amongst secrets |
| jñānam | wisdom |
| jñāna-vatām | in the wise |
| aham | I |
Maunam The silence produced by constant meditation on Brahman or the Self.
Attributed explanatory witness: Swami Sivananda. Chapter lens: Move from the four-verse core to representative opulences without mistaking examples for an exhaustive inventory.
Three named reading witnesses
Śaṅkara edition witness
Swami GambiranandaOf the punishers, I am the rod; I am the righteous policy of those who desire to conquer. And of things secret, I am verily silence; I am the knowledge of the wise.
Rāmānuja edition witness
Swami AdidevanandaOf those who punish, I am the principle of punishment. Of those who seek victory, I am policy. Of secrets, I am also silence. And of the wise, I am wisdom.
Sivananda commentary witness
Swami SivanandaMaunam The silence produced by constant meditation on Brahman or the Self.
These are concise, attributed reading witnesses from identified editions. They are presented for comparison and are not merged into one anonymous interpretation.
Meaning map
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I am the scepter of rulers, the strategy of conquerors, the silence of mystery
- 2
the wisdom of the wise
- 3
daṇḍaḥ: punishment
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