चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागश: |
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् || 13||
chātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛiṣhṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśhaḥ
tasya kartāram api māṁ viddhyakartāram avyayam
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
Translation:
The four castes were created by Me according to the division of gunas and karma. Though I am their Creator, yet know that I neither act nor change.
Commentary:
The following table shows the caste system as it was planned by the Lord.
| Quality | Caste | Functions |
|---|---|---|
| I. Sattva | Brahmins | Tapas and self-control |
| 2. Rajas | Kshatriyas | Domination, war, Kingship. |
| 3. Rajas + Tamas | Vysyas | Trade and Commerce |
| 4. Tamas | Sudras | Labour and Service. |
Though the Lord is the Creator and sustainer of the world and human functions yet He remains detached and unaffectd by His work. This is the mystery of the Lord’s action in the universe. Many a great man who came into the world and who worked for the good of humanity have done so without any feeling of personal agency in his work. That is the way how work should be done, and men who work in that spirit are not bound by the wheel of Karma.
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 4 🔻 (42 Verses)
