Among those who subdue, I am the rod of punishment; among those who seek victory, I am statecraft. Among secrets, I am silence, and among those who have knowledge, I am knowledge itself.
Explanation
Krishna continues listing his divine manifestations (vibhūti) to Arjuna, picking the finest example in each category. Here these are the authority of punishment that keeps order, wise policy (nīti) in those seeking victory, silence that guards what is secret, and the wisdom (jñāna) of the wise. The verse is generally read the same way across traditions.