After hearing that Krishna instructed the imperishable science of Bhagavad Gita to Sun God, Arjuna asks a logical question: “How is it possible for Krishna to teach the Sun God when the latter is senior by birth to Krishna?” (BG 4.4)
In response, Lord Krishna starts revealing His own divinity for the first time in the Bhagavad Gita. Both Krishna (me) and (ca) Arjuna (tava) have passed through (vyatītāni) many (bahūni) births (janmāni). Krishna (ahaṁ) knows (veda) them (tāny) all (sarvāṇi), but Arjuna (tvaṁ) does not (na) know (vettha). (BG 4.5) Why is it so? Krishna elucidates the special nature of His birth. Although (api sann) Krishna is the unborn (ajo) and imperishable Soul (avyayātmā) and although (api san) He is the Lord (īśvaro) of all beings (bhūtānām), He still appears (sambhavāmy) situating Himself (adhiṣṭhāya) in His own nature [transcendental form] (prakṛtiṁ svām) by His own internal energy (ātma-māyayā). (BG 4.6)
The following points thoroughly substantiate Krishna’s position as God and why we can never claim to be God or never become God:
- Both Arjuna and Krishna have appeared many times but only Krishna remembers them all. (BG 4.5)
- Krishna does not take birth but He descends (ajaḥ). (BG 4.6)
- Krishna’s body never deteriorates (avyayātmā). (BG 4.6)
- Krishna appears in His original transcendental form (prakṛtiṁ svām). (BG 4.6)
- Krishna is not forced by karma but He descends out of His own sweet will (sambhavāmy ātma-māyayā). (BG 4.6)
Why does Krishna appear? Krishna gives the reasons in the next two verses.
Whenever and wherever (yadā yadā) there occurs (bhavati) an evident (hi) discrepancy (glānir) in spiritual practices (dharmasya), and a predominant rise (abhyutthānam) of evil (adharmasya) – at that time (tadā) Krishna (aham) manifests (sṛjāmy) Himself (ātmānaṁ). (BG 4.7) To deliver (paritrāṇāya) the saintly (sādhūnāṁ) and (ca) to annihilate (vināśāya) the miscreants (duṣkṛtām), as well as to reinstate righteousness (dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya), Krishna Himself appears, millennium after millennium (sambhavāmi yuge yuge). (BG 4.8)
Note that Krishna first presents His divinity in relation to His transcendental birth. Next, Krishna presents His divinity in terms of His transcendental activities while giving 3 reasons why He makes His appearance in this world. The presiding condition for Krishna’s appearance is that there is a predominant decline in spiritual practices (BG 4.7). At that time, (BG 4.8) Krishna descends from His spiritual abode to:
- Extricate His devotees.
- Annihilate the miscreants.
- Reinstate the spiritual atmosphere.
One (so) who (yo) thus (evaṁ) properly (tattvataḥ) understands (vetti) the transcendental nature (divyam) of Krishna’s (me) birth (janma) and (ca) actions (karma), upon leaving (tyaktvā) the body (dehaṁ), does not (na) take (eti) birth (janma) again (punar), but comes (eti) to Krishna (mām). (BG 4.9) In other words, we become eligible to restore our spiritual position and go back to Krishna’s spiritual abode if we truly understand the transcendental nature of Krishna’s birth and activities. This is the mission statement of the Bhagavad Gita.
