Chapter 10: Vibhūti-yoga: Verse 36
द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् ।
जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम् ॥
dyūtaṃ chalayatām-asmi tejas-tejasvinām-aham
jayo‘smi vyavasāyo‘smi sattvaṃ sattvavatām-aham – 10.36
Among the deceitful, I (the Supreme) am the game of deceptive dice (gambling). In the powerful, I am the power. I am victory and resoluteness. I am the sattva-guṇa in the sāttvika people.
Chapter 10: Vibhūti-yoga - Verse 36
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
The Supreme is supreme in every way. As good dominates, bad too robs human mind, making the events at times appallingly queer!
Gambling is disastrous, but many are drawn to it, like moth to fire. Duryodhana exploited Yudhishthira’s weakness for dice. Making his own uncle Shakuni, an expert foul-player, play on his behalf, he snatched Yudhishthira’s kingdom and brothers. But for dice, Duryodhana could not have sent Pandavas to forest and incognito exile.
Entire creation pulsates at the command of the Supreme. Although It is deceit in the deceitful, being the might of the mighty, and goodness of the good, It finally deceives the deceitful also, as it happened with Duryodhana.
