BG 4.7
Whenever there is a decline in righteousness, and an increase in immorality, I manifest myself.
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदाऽऽत्मानं सृजाम्यहम्
This is one of the most famous verses of the Bhagavad Gita, and captures the essence of Krishna's reason for involvement with the Mahabharata story. Krishna is stating his purpose is to establish dharma and eradicate adharma, and his involvement with a human conflict are for this reason.
Several religions and belief systems incorporate the concept of a deity incarnating as a mortal to establish righteousness and eradicate evil. In Mahayana Buddhism, there is a belief in Bodhisattvas who postpone their own enlightenment to help others achieve liberation. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God who came to Earth to save humanity from sin and establish righteousness. Even a more recent religion like Sikhism holds that the founder of their religion, Guru Nanak, was divinely inspired and had incarnated for the purpose of spreading a message of equality, righteousness, and devotion to God.
The central figure of the Gita is Krishna. As you worship Jesus of Nazareth as God come down as man so the Hindus worship many Incarnations of God. They believe in not one or two only, but in many, who have come down from time to time, according to the needs of the world, for the preservation of Dharma and destruction of wickedness.
— Swami Vivekananda
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यदा यदा
yadā yadā — whenever
Literally meaning is "when when". This is a common literary device used in Sanskrit, like "again again" meaning "repeatedly" -
hi — certainly
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dharmasya — of righteous action, of Dharma
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glānir — decline
From glāniḥ -
bhavati — is
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bhārata — Arjuna
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abhyutthānam — increase
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adharmasya — of unrighteousness
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tadātmānaṁ — myself at that time
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tadā — at that time
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ātmānam — self
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sṛijāmyaham — I manifest
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sṛijāmi — manifest
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aham — I
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Krishna replied: Many of my births have passed, as well as many of yours. I know all of them, but you do not know any of yours, Arjuna. Although I am unborn and imperishable, and the Lord of all beings, I manifest myself in this world by illusion. Whenever there is a decline in righteousness, and an increase in immorality, I manifest myself. For the protection of the good, the destruction of the wicked, and the establishment of righteous action, I am born from age to age.
Similar verses
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When impiety prevails, the women become immoral, and children of mixed social groups are born.
- Verse 1.41
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Please tell me of all your divine manifestations, through which you pervade these worlds.
- Verse 10.16
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Even if the most sinful person were to worship me with undivided devotion, they should be regarded as righteous, for they have resolved to follow righteousness.
- Verse 9.30
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There is no limit to my divine manifestations - these are only a few examples.
- Verse 10.40
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Although I am unborn and imperishable, and the Lord of all beings, I manifest myself in this world by illusion.
- Verse 4.6