The Blessed Lord said: I instructed this imperishable yoga to Vivasvan; Vivasvan conveyed it to Manu; and Manu imparted it to Ikshvaku.
Krishna begins by tracing the origin of this timeless yoga, emphasizing its sacred transmission from the divine to kings who upheld dharma. This establishes the Gita’s teachings as a continuum of universal wisdom meant for both rulers and saints, underlining the sanctity and ancient lineage of this path.
Thus received by the chain of disciplic succession, the saintly kings understood it. But, over a long period, this yoga was lost, O Arjuna.
Krishna laments the loss of this ancient wisdom due to the erosion of values over time, hinting at the need for spiritual renewal. This loss is reflective of cycles where materialism overshadows spiritual knowledge, setting the stage for Arjuna to reclaim this wisdom and reestablish dharma in the present era.
Today I have declared this ancient yoga to you, for you are my devotee and friend; it is indeed a supreme secret.
Krishna reveals why he has chosen Arjuna as the recipient of this sacred knowledge, highlighting both devotion and friendship. This underscores the personal bond and trust necessary for transmitting spiritual insights, illustrating that wisdom is shared with those who are both committed and capable of understanding it.
Arjuna said: Your birth is recent, while Vivasvan’s was long ago. How am I to understand that you instructed this yoga in the beginning?
Arjuna, confused by Krishna’s claim of instructing ancient sages, questions how Krishna could exist before them. This inquiry opens the door to exploring Krishna’s divine, timeless nature and foreshadows the revelation of his transcendental form, which transcends ordinary human birth and death cycles.
The Blessed Lord said: Both you and I have had many births, O Arjuna. I know them all, but you do not remember them, O Parantapa.
Krishna explains that while he and Arjuna have lived many lives, Krishna remembers all while Arjuna forgets. This contrast emphasizes Krishna’s divine omniscience and reminds Arjuna of the limited nature of human understanding, deepening the discourse on divine knowledge versus human memory.
Though I am unborn, imperishable, and the Lord of all beings, still I appear in every age by my internal potency.
Krishna discloses his ability to manifest in the world, even though he remains unborn and eternal. This concept introduces the idea of divine incarnations that descend out of compassion for humanity, embodying timeless truths in human form to guide society and restore balance during times of crisis.
Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Bharata, I manifest myself.
Krishna outlines his role in preserving dharma and combating adharma. This verse implies that divine intervention occurs when society strays from righteousness. By directly intervening, Krishna reassures Arjuna that he is part of a divine plan to restore equilibrium and protect the righteous.