Bhagavad Gita 4.7 — The Lord's Descent for the Protection of Dharma
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥ ४.७॥
O Bhārata (Arjuna), whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, I manifest Myself to restore the balance of dharma.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yadā yadā | whenever |
| hi | indeed |
| dharmasya | of dharma |
| glāniḥ | decline |
| bhavati | occurs |
| bhārata | O descendant of Bharata (Arjuna) |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| abhyutthānam | rise |
| adharmasya | of unrighteousness |
| tadā | then |
| ātmānam | Myself |
| sṛjāmi | I manifest |
| aham | I |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yadā yadā | whenever | abhyutthānam | rise |
| hi | indeed | adharmasya | of unrighteousness |
| dharmasya | of dharma | tadā | then |
| glāniḥ | decline | ātmānam | Myself |
| bhavati | occurs | sṛjāmi | I manifest |
| bhārata | O descendant of Bharata (Arjuna) | aham | I |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Shri Krishna reveals the principle that determines when He manifests in the world. He explains that whenever the balance of righteousness is disturbed and unrighteousness begins to dominate, He appears for the welfare of the world.
Essence
To understand this verse deeply, it is important to grasp the meaning of its key terms.
A. What Does the Decline of Dharma Really Mean?
In the Bhagavad Gītā, dharma does not simply refer to a particular religion or sect. It refers to righteousness, moral order, duty, and the principles that sustain harmony in both society and the cosmos.
The word glāni implies more than a mere decrease. It suggests a gradual weakening or corruption from within. When honesty, compassion, responsibility, and respect for truth begin to erode, and society loses its moral direction, dharma is said to be in decline.
B. The Rise of Adharma
The term abhyutthāna signifies a powerful rise or dominance. Adharma gains strength when selfishness, injustice, greed, and cruelty become widely accepted, while those who stand for truth and integrity become marginalized or silent.
C. 'Tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham' — 'Then I Manifest Myself'
Shri Krishna declares that when this imbalance reaches a critical point, He does not merely observe from afar. He personally manifests to restore harmony and guide the world back toward righteousness.
Deeper Significance and Inner Message
The message of this verse applies both on a universal scale and within the human heart.
The cosmic perspective: This verse offers reassurance that the universe is not abandoned to chaos. There is an underlying divine intelligence that sustains order. Whenever forces of disorder become overwhelming, a corrective movement arises to restore balance. Shri Krishna assures us that righteousness ultimately receives divine support.
The inner perspective: The battlefield of Kurukṣetra is not only an external event; it also symbolizes the struggles within the human mind. Every person experiences an ongoing conflict between higher qualities such as wisdom, compassion, and self-control, and lower tendencies such as anger, greed, and attachment. When negativity begins to dominate, sincere turning toward the Divine can awaken the higher consciousness within us.
A lesson for our own lives: This verse is fundamentally a message of hope. No matter how difficult circumstances may appear, truth and righteousness are never permanently defeated. By choosing to stand on the side of dharma, we align ourselves with the very principle that the Divine comes to protect and uphold.
Next Topic
Shri Krishna has explained when He manifests in the world, but one question still remains: what purpose does His incarnation serve? In the next verse, He reveals the three primary objectives of His divine descent—protecting the righteous, removing destructive forces, and re-establishing dharma.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
When disorder rises, restoration becomes necessary.
Great leaders emerge when values are under threat.
Darkness may grow, but it never has the final word.
The defense of what is right is a timeless duty.
A healthy society depends on the protection of its core values.
Every period of decline contains the possibility of renewal.
The Divine responds when humanity loses its moral compass.