In the Bhagavad-gita’s fourth chapter, Krishna responds to Arjuna’s question (04.04) by revealing his divinity directly for the first time (04.05-15). While answering Arjuna’s question, Krishna dexterously brings the discussion back to its purpose: to address Arjuna’s dilemma about the right thing to do. Let’s see how Krishna refocuses the Gita’s narrative thread.

Krishna descends to this world repeatedly to establish dharma, social and spiritual order (04.07-08). Apart from descending intermittently, Krishna constantly reciprocates with everyone (04.11), helping them live according to dharma by making various arrangements, such as the social order of varnashrama (04.13). 

How do these divine self-revelations address Arjuna’s dilemma? Let’s relate them with the context: Krishna and Arjuna are on the Kurukshetra battlefield to fight a dharma-yuddha (a necessary righteous war); and Arjuna’s varnashrama duty as a kshatriya is to fight for protecting dharma. Hence, the implication: Arjuna should fight. 

What if Arjuna fears that he may be motivated not by duty but by greed? Even if Arjuna is selfishly motivated, Krishna isn’t. Being the Supreme, Krishna has no selfish desire and is never bound by karma — those who understand this truth about Krishna’s nature are also liberated from karma (04.14). In the past, great souls understood Krishna’s nature and did their duty as a service to him, thereby attaining liberation; if Arjuna emulates their example, liberation awaits him too (04.15).

This analysis of Krishna’s answer highlights how he doesn’t get diverted into self-glorification even when he has the opportunity to. Instead, he expertly weaves his self-revelation about his divinity into his guidance for addressing Arjuna’s dilemma. 

One-sentence summary:

Most of us don’t have too many glories, yet we often grab every opportunity to elaborate on our glories; Krishna has unlimited glories, yet he transforms an opportunity for self-glorification into a way for guiding Arjuna. 

Think it over: 

  • In the Gita’s fourth chapter, why does Krishna reveal his divinity directly?
  • How does Krishna redirect his self-revelation about his divinity? Why?
  • What can we learn from Krishna’s way of answering Arjuna’s question? 

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04.15: All the liberated souls in ancient times acted with this understanding of My transcendental nature. Therefore you should perform your duty, following in their footsteps.

To know more about this verse, please click on the image