Contents
Shri Sankara's Gita Bhashya
(Sri Sankaracharya's Commentary on the Gita)
CHAPTER -4
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7. Whenever, O descendant of Bharata, there is decline of dharma and rise of adharma, then I embody Myself forth. Whenever, O descendant of Bharata, there is decline of dharma, religion, in the form of the institution of castes (varnas), religious orders (āśramas), etc.[1], as the means to worldly prosperity and supreme felicity for human beings, and rise of adharma, i.e. the ascendancy of irreligion, then I embody Myself forth, through Māyā. For what purpose ?
8. For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the firm establishment of dharma, I come into being in every age. For the protection, preservation, of the good, those following the right path; for the destruction of the wicked, those who commit sinful or vicious acts; and for what else? for the firm establish ment of dharma, i.e. for setting it up well, come into being in every age. That, |
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References and Context
- ↑ Ācāras. (A) i.e. established usages, customary laws. Religion of dharma is mainly maintained by varna-āśrama rules and ācāras. Sec'note 11 and 12 of Introduction.