Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 56
The Yadu–Vṛṣṇi–Andhaka Genealogies and the Purpose of Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य क्षयो वृद्धिश्च पाप्मन: । तदा तु भगवानीश आत्मानं सृजते हरि: ॥ ५६ ॥
yadā yadā hi dharmasya kṣayo vṛddhiś ca pāpmanaḥ tadā tu bhagavān īśa ātmānaṁ sṛjate hariḥ
ダルマが衰え、罪と不義が増すそのたびに、至上の統御者たるバガヴァーン・シュリー・ハリは、自らの御意志によって顕現される。
The principles by which an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead descends upon earth are explained in this verse. The same principles are also explained in Bhagavad-gītā (4.7) by the Lord Himself:
FAQs
This verse states that whenever dharma diminishes and sin increases, Lord Hari manifests Himself to protect righteousness and re-establish divine order.
Śukadeva emphasizes that the Lord’s avatāras are not forced by karma; the Supreme Controller freely manifests His own transcendental form for the world’s protection.
When society or one’s own life drifts toward adharma, a devotee should take shelter of Hari through bhakti—hearing, chanting, and living ethically—trusting that the Lord supports the restoration of dharma.