परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय संभवामि युगे युगे ॥
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय संभवामि युगे युगे ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
साधुओंभक्तों की रक्षा करनेके लिये, पापकर्म करनेवालोंका विनाश करनेके लिये और धर्मकी भलीभाँति स्थापना करनेके लिये मैं युगयुगमें प्रकट हुआ करता हूँ ॥
English
For the protection of the righteous, for the destruction of wrongdoers, and for the establishment of dharma, I appear age after age.
What this verse means
Krishna says he appears again and again to protect the good, stop wrongdoing, and restore dharma.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is frozen and Krishna is revealing why divine presence enters the world. After saying he appears whenever dharma declines, Krishna adds the purpose of that appearance: to protect the righteous, remove destructive forces, and restore right order.
Why this verse still matters
When a family system is poisoned by one cruel person, or a workplace has become toxic, you want to believe repair is still possible. This verse insists that protection and restoration are not fantasies.
The takeaway
There is comfort in knowing order is not abandoned. What is worth protecting is protected.
Word-by-word translation
परित्राणाय (for protection) / साधूनाम् (of the righteous) / विनाशाय (for destruction) / च (and) / दुष्कृताम् (of wrongdoers) / धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय (for the purpose of establishing dharma) / संभवामि (I appear) / युगे युगे (age after age)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga — Knowledge and Renunciation of Action, which contains 42 verses.
Explore related themes: adharma (12 verses)