The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action

Krishna specifies the threefold purpose of divine appearance: 'paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ' (protecting the good), 'vināśāya duṣkṛtām' (destroying the wicked), and 'dharma-saṁsthāpanā-arthāya' (establishing righteousness). This completes the answer to 'Why appear?' from verse 4.7. Protection doesn't mean the good never suffer—it means their values and way of life are preserved even in difficult times. Destruction doesn't mean annihilation—it means the power of wickedness is diminished, their influence reduced. Establishment means restoring balance, not perfection. 'Yuge yuge' (age after age) shows this is a recurring pattern, not a one-time event. Whenever imbalance reaches critical point, restoration appears.