यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत |
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् || 7||
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛijāmyaham
yadā yadā—whenever; hi—certainly; dharmasya—of righteousness; glāniḥ—decline; bhavati—is; bhārata—Arjun, descendant of Bharat; abhyutthānam—increase; adharmasya—of unrighteousness; tadā—at that time; ātmānam—self; sṛijāmi—manifest; aham—I
Translation:
O Arjuna! Whenever there is a decline of righteousness and rise of evil, I manifest Myself.
Commentary:
The imperative necessity of Dharma as the basic principle of man’s existence, peace, and happiness, is declared by the Lord. Dharmo rakshati rakshitah – If one protects Dharma, Dharma protects him, Dharma alone gives peace and prosperity to humanity. So when the laws of righteousness are violated and suppressed, the Lord has to manifest Himself to re-establish, Dharma. Otherwise, the universe falls to pieces. Men destroy themselves in a hundred ways. The whole scheme of creation will be disturbed and the very purpose of human existence is defeated. So the righteous way of life has to be kept clear and clean for humanity to tread the path of God – realisation. For that purpose, the Lord manifests Himself. Therefore whoever follows the Dharmic way of life is doing God’s work. Whoever defies the Dharma is the foe of the Lord, and he shall be destroyed by the Lord.
Question: When does the Lord manifest Himself?
Answer: When righteousness declines and evil rises, the Lord manifests Himself.
See also:
- Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 4, Verse 8; Paritranaya Sadhunam Vinashaya Cha Dushkritam
- Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 7-8: Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 4 🔻 (42 Verses)
