The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
परित्राणायfor protectionसाधूनाम्of the righteousविनाशायfor destructionचandदुष्कृताम्of wrongdoersधर्मसंस्थापनार्थायfor the purpose of establishing dharmaसंभवामिI appearयुगे युगेage after age
Read literallyfor protection · of the righteous · for destruction · and · of wrongdoers · for the purpose of establishing dharma · I appear · age after age
Understanding the verse
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Krishna comes age after age to protect the good, destroy wrongdoers and re-establish dharma.
Krishna says he appears again and again to protect the good, stop wrongdoing, and restore dharma.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
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.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
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
“Krishna promises the good are protected and dharma is restored, age after age.”
Krishna says he appears again and again to protect the good, stop wrongdoing, and restore dharma.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.8?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 4.8?
Verse 8 sits in Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "Knowledge and Renunciation of Action". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 4.8 matter today?
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.
Krishna comes age after age to protect the good, destroy wrongdoers and re-establish dharma.
What this verse means
Krishna says he appears again and again to protect the good, stop wrongdoing, and restore dharma.
Context & commentary
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.
What it looks like today
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.
“Krishna promises the good are protected and dharma is restored, age after age.”
Explore related themes: adharma (12 verses)