yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati Bhārata / abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham
“Whenever there is a decline of dharma, O Bharata, and there is an uprising of adharma, then I create myself.”
Structure
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati Bhārata abhyutthānam adharmasya tadā ātmānam sṛjāmy aham
yadā yadā (whenever) hi (indeed) dharmasya (of dharma) glāniḥ (decline) bhavati (occurs) Bhārata (O India) tadā (then) adharmasya (of adharma) abhyutthānam (the rise) aham (I) ātmānam (myself) sṛjāmi (create)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yadā | yadā | indeclinable | — | when |
| yadā | yadā | indeclinable | — | when (second occurrence, same meaning as the first) |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for, indeed |
| dharmasya | dharmasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of dharma |
| glānir | glānir | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | decline, decay |
| bhavati | bhavati | verb | √bhū · laṭ-present · third | happens, occurs |
| Bhārata | Bhārata | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | of Bhārata, in Bhārata |
| abhyutthānam | abhyutthānam | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the rise, uprising |
| adharmasya | adharmasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of adharmas |
| tadā | tadā | indeclinable | — | then |
| ātmānam | ātmānam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | myself |
| sṛjāmy | sṛjāmy | verb | √sṛj · liṅ-optative · first | I create |
| aham | aham | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Ādi Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as an affirmation of the non-dual nature of reality. According to Shankara, the phrase 'tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham' signifies the manifestation of the Absolute (Brahman) in the form of the avatar, which is not a creation ex nihilo but a revelation of the eternal, unchanging essence. This verse underscores the identity of Brahman and ātman, highlighting that the ultimate reality is beyond the cyclical fluctuations of dharma and adharma. Shankara's commentary on this verse emphasizes the importance of recognizing the immutable, all-pervading nature of the Self, which is the foundation of Advaita Vedānta's non-dual philosophy. By invoking the concept of avatar, this verse points to the ultimate reality that transcends the ephemeral distinctions between dharma and adharma, guiding the seeker towards the realization of the brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as represented by Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, views this verse as a testament to the divine intervention of Īśvara (the Lord) in the world. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Gītā, sees the avatar as a manifestation of God's grace, which descends to reestablish dharma and protect the devotees. The phrase 'tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham' is understood as the Lord's declaration of His intention to incarnate, thereby affirming the personal relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, interprets this verse as an affirmation of the Lord's sovereignty and the dependence of the world on His will. Both Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya emphasize the devotional aspect of this verse, highlighting the importance of surrender and devotion to the Lord, who is the ultimate source of guidance and protection in times of chaos and disorder.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures in the Neo-Vedānta movement, interpret this verse as a call to action and a reminder of the universal principles that govern human existence. Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often cited this verse to emphasize the importance of selfless service and the need for spiritual leaders to guide humanity in times of crisis. He saw the avatar as a symbol of the divine potential within every individual, which can be realized through self-effort and dedication to the higher good. Rādhākrishnan, on the other hand, viewed this verse as a reflection of the eternal and universal struggle between good and evil, highlighting the need for individuals to cultivate their inner strength and wisdom to navigate the challenges of life. Both Vivekānanda and Rādhākrishnan connected this verse to contemporary life, emphasizing its relevance to the social, moral, and spiritual issues of their time, and encouraging individuals to embody the principles of dharma in their personal and public lives.