Chapter 4, Verse 7 (Bhagavad Gita 4.7)
Chapter 4: Jñāna Karm Sanyās Yog – Path of Knowledge and the Disciplines of Action
Sanskrit Shloka
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत। अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदाऽऽत्मानं सृजाम्यहम्
Transliteration
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛijāmyaham
Word Meanings
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
Whenever there is a decline of righteousness and an increase of unrighteousness, O Arjuna, then I manifest Myself.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse signifies that the Divine is not a distant entity but an active force that responds to the collective consciousness of humanity. When moral order (Dharma) decays, the universe undergoes a restorative process to re-establish balance, proving that chaos is never permanent. On an individual level, this teaches us that whenever inner darkness or ego overwhelms our sense of purpose, our true divine nature will rise if we earnestly seek it. It is an assurance that goodness is fundamentally protected and that transformation is always possible when we align ourselves with righteousness. Ultimately, it reminds us that we are supported by a cosmic intelligence that intervenes whenever our spiritual path becomes clouded by ignorance.