|| 10.38 ||
दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम्। मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम्।।
daṇḍo damayatām asmi nītir asmi jigīṣatām maunaṁ caivāsmi guhyānāṁ jñānaṁ jñānavatām aham
Word by Word
daṇḍaḥ (punishment) — damayatām (of all means of suppression) — asmi (I am) — nītiḥ (morality/strategy) — asmi (I am) — jigīṣatām (of those who seek victory) — maunam (silence) — ca (and) — eva (certainly) — asmi (I am) — guhyānām (of secrets) — jñānam (knowledge) — jñānavatām (of the wise) — aham (I am).
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.
Meaning
Kṛṣṇa identifies Himself in the laws of society and the silence of the soul. He is the punishment that maintains order and the strategy used by those who seek victory.