BG 4.7 — Srila Prabhupada Lecture — Bombay, March 27, 1974

Bhagavad-gītā 4.7 — the meaning of dharma and why Kṛṣṇa descends. In this lecture from Bombay, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that dharma does not mean a man-made faith or sectarian belief, but the eternal duty and natural function of the living being. Using clear examples, he shows that real dharma is given by the Supreme Lord — dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam — and cannot be manufactured by social convention, opinion, or political resolution. Śrīla Prabhupāda discusses Kṛṣṇa’s purpose in appearing whenever true religion declines and irreligion rises: to protect the sādhus, punish the miscreants, and reestablish dharma. He also connects this teaching to Bhagavad-gītā 18.66 and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s statement jīvera svarūpa haya nitya-kṛṣṇa-dāsa, explaining that every soul has the inherent tendency to surrender, and perfection comes when that surrender is properly directed to Kṛṣṇa. If you value these timeless Bhagavad-gītā teachings from Śrīla Prabhupāda, please subscribe for more lectures and daily spiritual wisdom.