Chapter 10 · Shloka 36— The Yoga of Divine Glories

dyūtaṁ chhalayatām asmi tejas tejasvinām aham jayo ’smi vyavasāyo ’smi sattvaṁ sattvavatām aham

dyūtam

— gambling

chhalayatām

— of all cheats

asmi

— I am

tejaḥ

— the splendor

tejasvinām

— of the splendid

aham

— I

jayaḥ

— victory

asmi

— I am

vyavasāyaḥ

— firm resolve

asmi

— I am

sattvam

— virtue

sattva-vatām

— of the virtuous

aham

— I

"Dyutam chalayatam asmi tejas tejasvinam aham, jayo 'smi vyavasayo 'smi sattvam sattvavatam aham." — Among deceivers I am the gambling of the cheat; I am the splendor of the splendid; I am victory; I am effort (determination); I am the goodness (sattva) of the good. Krishna continues with a striking and instructive range. 'Dyutam chalayatam asmi' — among forms of deception or fraud (chalayatam), I am the gambling (dyuta) — a startling inclusion, but consistent with the teaching (9.19, 10.34) that the Divine is the reality behind ALL phenomena, even those associated with vice. Wherever there is power or potency, even in deception, the underlying energy is the Divine. (Shankaracharya clarifies this does not endorse the activity; it acknowledges the Divine as the substratum of all power.) Then the more uplifting identifications: 'tejas tejasvinam aham' — I am the splendor (tejas) of the splendid, the brilliance and radiant energy in all who are brilliant. 'Jayah asmi' — I am victory (jaya). 'Vyavasayah asmi' — I am effort, resolve, determination (vyavasaya) — the firm resolve that drives accomplishment. 'Sattvam sattvavatam aham' — I am the goodness (sattva) of the good, the pure, harmonious quality in all who are virtuous. Shankaracharya highlights especially 'vyavasaya' (determination/resolve) and 'sattva' (goodness): the firm resolve that drives genuine accomplishment, and the pure goodness in virtuous beings, are both divine glories. Where there is unwavering determination directed toward worthy ends, and where there is genuine goodness of character, the Divine shines. The insight, drawing on the uplifting identifications: determination (vyavasaya) and goodness (sattva) are themselves divine glories. The firm resolve that powers genuine achievement, and the pure goodness of a virtuous character, are not merely admirable human traits — they're expressions of the deeper reality shining through. This dignifies two things worth cultivating: first, determined effort — the unwavering resolve to pursue what's worthy, to persist, to follow through. When you summon genuine determination toward a good end, you're expressing a divine glory. Second, goodness of character — the sattva, the purity and harmony of a good heart. To grow in genuine goodness is to grow the divine glory in yourself. So both your determination and your goodness, when directed rightly, are sacred. Cultivate firm resolve toward worthy ends, and cultivate genuine goodness of heart — and recognize that in both, you participate in something divine.

Setting aside the startling inclusion of gambling (which only reaffirms that the Divine is the underlying energy behind ALL phenomena, not an endorsement of the activity), focus on the uplifting identifications: 'I am determination; I am the goodness of the good.' Two qualities worth cultivating are here named as divine glories. First, determination (vyavasaya) — the firm, unwavering resolve that powers genuine achievement, the persistence to follow through on what's worthy. When you summon real determination toward a good end, you're expressing something sacred, not just a useful trait. This dignifies the grind: your resolve to keep going, to persist through difficulty toward a worthy goal, participates in the divine glory. Second, goodness of character (sattva) — the purity and harmony of a genuinely good heart. To grow in real goodness isn't just being 'nice' — it's growing the divine glory within yourself. So here are two things to take seriously as sacred pursuits: build unwavering determination toward worthy goals, and cultivate genuine goodness of heart. Both, when directed rightly, aren't merely admirable — they're participation in the deeper reality. Your determination matters; your goodness matters. Both are divine glories you can actively grow. Pursue worthy goals with real resolve, and become genuinely good — and know you're nurturing something sacred.

Setting aside the startling inclusion of gambling (which only reaffirms the Divine is the underlying energy behind ALL phenomena, not an endorsement of the activity), focus on the uplifting identifications: 'I am determination; I am the goodness of the good.' Two qualities worth seriously cultivating are named here as divine glories. First, determination (vyavasaya) — the firm, unwavering resolve that powers genuine achievement, the persistence to follow through on what's worthy. When you summon real determination toward a good end, you're expressing something sacred, not just a 'useful trait.' This dignifies the grind: your resolve to keep going, to push through difficulty toward a worthy goal, participates in the divine glory. Second, goodness of character (sattva) — the purity and harmony of a genuinely good heart. Growing in real goodness isn't just 'being nice' — it's growing the divine glory in yourself. So two things to take seriously as sacred pursuits: build unwavering determination toward worthy goals, and cultivate real goodness of heart. Both, directed rightly, aren't merely admirable — they're participation in the deeper reality. Your determination matters; your goodness matters. Both are divine glories you can actively grow. Pursue worthy goals with real resolve, become genuinely good — and know you're nurturing something sacred.

Krishna shares more glories, and the most inspiring ones for us are: 'I am DETERMINATION, and I am the GOODNESS of good people!' These teach us two wonderful things to grow in ourselves! First, determination — that's the strong, never-give-up spirit that keeps you trying hard at good things, even when they're difficult! When you keep going and don't give up on something worthwhile, you're showing a divine glory! Second, goodness — the kind, pure goodness in a good heart! When you grow kinder and more good, you're growing something truly sacred and beautiful inside you! So here are two amazing things to practice: keep trying hard with determination (never give up on good goals!), and keep growing your goodness (be more kind, honest, and pure-hearted!). Both of these wonderful qualities are like divine sparkles you can grow in your own heart! Be determined AND be good — that's how you shine!