Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya (Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8)
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य
Origin & Story
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, Verses 7-8 · Veda Vyasa (Lord Krishna's teaching) · Itihasa (Mahabharata)
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna reveals to Arjuna the secret of his birth: that the Supreme, though unborn and eternal, takes form age after age whenever dharma declines and adharma rises — to protect the good, destroy the wicked, and re-establish righteousness. These two verses are the classic scriptural statement of the doctrine of the avatar.
✦ As told in scripture
This verse is the Lord's own promise that righteousness can never be finally lost — that whenever darkness seems to prevail, the Divine descends to restore the light; devotees recite it as an unfailing source of hope and courage in every age.
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Complete Text with Meaning
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत । अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥
Yada yada hi dharmasya glanirbhavati bharata Abhyutthanamadharmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham
Meaning:Whenever there is a decline of dharma (righteousness), O Bharata, and a rise of adharma (unrighteousness), then I manifest myself.
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् । धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥
Paritranaya sadhunam vinashaya cha dushkritam Dharmasamsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge
Meaning:For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of dharma, I am born in age after age.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya (Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8)
One of the most famous verses of the Bhagavad Gita (4.7-8), in which Krishna declares the eternal promise of the divine avatar.
Recited for faith and reassurance that the Divine descends to protect the good, destroy evil and restore dharma whenever righteousness declines.
Chanted for devotion to the avatars of Vishnu (Rama, Krishna and the rest) and for the strength to stand on the side of dharma.
A source of courage and hope in difficult times — the assurance that righteousness is never finally defeated.
Studied with the Bhagavad Gita and recited on Janmashtami and Ram Navami, celebrating the descent of the Lord.
How to Chant Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya (Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8)
Recite the two verses with devotion, reflecting on the Lord's promise to descend in every age to protect dharma. It is recited as an affirmation of faith and is especially fitting on the appearance days of the avatars, Janmashtami and Ram Navami.
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