Chapter 4, Verse 8
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् | धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ||४-८||
paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṃ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām . dharmasaṃsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge ||4-8||
Meaning
4.8 For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked and for the establishment of righteousness, I am born in every age.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
Completing the thought of the previous verse, Krishna states the threefold purpose of every divine descent: to protect the sādhus (the good), to destroy the duṣkṛtas (the wicked), and above all to re-establish dharma. The phrase yuge yuge — 'age after age' — confirms that this is an unending rhythm woven into the fabric of existence.
Notice that 'destruction of the wicked' is not vengeance but a clearing of obstacles so that righteousness can stand again. The ultimate aim is dharma-saṃsthāpana — the restoration of right order itself. On the inner battlefield, this same drama unfolds within us: the protection of our higher impulses, the dissolving of our destructive tendencies, and the re-establishment of integrity. The divine works in history and in the human heart alike.
💡 Key Takeaway
Grace protects what is good, dissolves what is harmful, and restores right order — in the world and within us.
Related Verses
एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः | स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप ||४-२||
evaṃ paramparāprāptamimaṃ rājarṣayo viduḥ . sa kāleneha mahatā yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa ||4-2||
4.2 This, handed down thus in regular succession, the royal sages knew. This Yoga, by long lapse of time, has been lost here, O Parantapa (burner of the foes).
अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् | प्रकृतिं स्वामधिष्ठाय सम्भवाम्यात्ममायया ||४-६||
ajo.api sannavyayātmā bhūtānāmīśvaro.api san . prakṛtiṃ svāmadhiṣṭhāya sambhavāmyātmamāyayā ||4-6||
4.6 Though I am unborn, of imperishable nature, and though I am the Lord of all beings, yet, governing My own Nature, I am born by My own Maya.
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत | अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ||४-७||
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati bhārata . abhyutthānamadharmasya tadātmānaṃ sṛjāmyaham ||4-7||
4.7 Whenever there is decline of righteousness, O Arjuna, and rise of unrighteousness, then I manifest Myself.