Bhagavad Gita · 4.13 · Path of Knowledge and the Disciplines of Action·13 of 42
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः।तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ॥
chātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛiṣhṭaṁ
guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśhaḥ tasya kartāram api māṁ viddhyakartāram avyayam
Sanskrit recitation
Wisdom that returns in every age · 4.1–4.15 · Teaching
Translation
The fourfold caste has been created by Me according to the differentiation of Guna and Karma; though I am the author of it, know Me as non-doer and immutable.
Meaning
The four castes (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra) are classified according to the differentiation of Guna and Karma. In a Brahmana, Sattva predominates. He possesses selfrestraint, purity, serenity, straightforwardness, devotion, etc. In a Kshatriya, Rajs predominates. He possesses prowess, splendour, firmness, dexterity, generosity and the nature of a ruler. In a Vaishya, Rajas predominates and Tamas is subordinate to Rajas. He does the duty of ploughing, protection of cattle and trade. In a Sudra Tamas predominates and Rajas is subordinate to Tamas. He does service to the other three castes. Human temperaments and tendencies vary according to the Gunas.Though the Lord is the author of the caste system, yet He is not the author as He is the nondoer. He is not subject to Samsara. Really Maya does everything. Maya is the real author. Society can exist in a flourishing state if the four castes do their duties properly. Otherwise there will be chaos, rupture and fighting. (Cf.XVIII.41).
After Swami Sivananda
Wisdom that returns in every age· 4.1–4.15→
Teachers usually read this idea across several verses together, one shared reflection covers the whole unit.
- 4.1The Blessed Lord said, "I taught this imperishable Yoga to Vivasvan; he then told it to Manu; Manu proclaimed it to Ikshvaku.
- 4.2This, handed down in regular succession by the royal sages, was known. This Yoga, however, has been lost here over time, O Parantapa (burner of the foes).
- 4.3That same ancient yoga has been today taught to you by me, for you are my devotee and my friend; it is the supreme secret.
- 4.4Arjuna said, "Later was Thy birth, and prior to it was the birth of Vivasvan (the Sun); how am I to understand that Thou hast taught this Yoga from the beginning?"
- 4.5The Blessed Lord said, "Many births of Mine have passed, as well as of thine, O Arjuna; I know them all, but thou knowest not, O Parantapa (scorcher of foes)."
- 4.6Though I am unborn and of imperishable nature, and though I am the Lord of all beings, yet, governing my own nature, I am born by my own Maya.
- 4.7Whenever there is a decline of righteousness and an increase of unrighteousness, O Arjuna, then I manifest Myself.
- 4.8For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of righteousness, I am born in every age.
- 4.9He who thus knows, in their true light, My divine birth and actions, having abandoned the body, is not born again; he comes to Me, O Arjuna.
- 4.10Freed from attachment, fear, and anger, absorbed in Me, taking refuge in Me, purified by the fire of knowledge, many have attained My Being.
- 4.11In whatever way men approach Me, even so do I reward them; My path do men tread in all ways, O Arjuna.
- 4.12Those who long for success in action in this world sacrifice to the gods; for success is quickly attained by men through action.
4.13The fourfold caste has been created by Me according to the differentiation of Guna and Karma; though I am the author of it, know Me as non-doer and immutable.
- 4.14Actions do not taint Me, nor do I have a desire for the fruit of actions. He who knows Me thus is not bound by actions.
- 4.15Having known this, the ancient seekers of freedom also performed action; therefore, do thou also perform action, as the ancients did in days of yore.
Word-by-word→
- chātuḥ-varṇyam
- the four categories of occupations
- mayā
- by me
- sṛiṣhṭam
- were created
- guṇa
- of quality
- karma
- and activities
- vibhāgaśhaḥ
- according to divisions
- tasya
- of that
- kartāram
- the creator
- api
- although
- mām
- me
- viddhi
- know
- akartāram
- non-doer
- avyayam
- unchangeable
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