Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.41 ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप
श्लोक 18.41
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप ।
कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः ॥
brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāṃ śūdrāṇāṃ ca parantapa |
karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāvaprabhavairguṇaiḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे परंतप! ब्राह्मणों, क्षत्रियों, वैश्यों और शूद्रों के कर्म उनके स्वभाव से उत्पन्न गुणों के अनुसार बाँटे गए हैं।
Meaning in English
O Parantapa (scorcher of foes), the duties of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras are divided according to the qualities arising from their own nature.
Bhagavad Gita 18.41 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशाम् | brāhmaṇa-kṣatriya-viśām | of brahmins, kshatriyas and vaishyas |
| शूद्राणाम् | śūdrāṇām | of shudras |
| च | ca | and |
| परन्तप | parantapa | O scorcher of foes |
| कर्माणि | karmāṇi | the duties |
| प्रविभक्तानि | pravibhaktāni | are divided |
| स्वभावप्रभवैः | svabhāva-prabhavaiḥ | arising from inborn nature |
| गुणैः | guṇaiḥ | by the qualities (gunas) |
Explanation
Krishna says that the duties of brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras are divided according to the qualities, the gunas, that arise from each person's own inborn nature (svabhāva). Work is not handed out at random; it follows the shape of a person's temperament.
Having just described how the three gunas colour knowledge, action, resolve and happiness, Krishna now applies the same analysis to social roles, echoing 4.13 where he says the four varnas were created by division of guna and karma. Shankara and Ramanuja take svabhāva as the nature formed by past impressions and actions. Modern readers such as Vivekananda, Aurobindo and Gandhi stress that the verse speaks of qualities and fitness for work rather than rank, and Aurobindo reads svabhāva as the inner law of a person's being from which svadharma flows.
भावार्थ
हे परन्तप, ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय, वैश्य और शूद्रों के कर्म उनके स्वभाव से उत्पन्न गुणों के अनुसार बाँटे गए हैं। अर्थात् प्रत्येक व्यक्ति का कर्तव्य उसकी भीतरी प्रकृति से निकलता है।
Living it today
Notice what kind of work draws out your natural strengths — thinking, protecting, building, serving — and let that guide your choices more than status or fashion.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.41?
Krishna says that the duties of brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras are divided according to the qualities, the gunas, that arise from each person's own inborn nature (svabhāva). Work is not handed out at random; it follows the shape of a person's temperament.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.41?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.41 in daily life?
Notice what kind of work draws out your natural strengths — thinking, protecting, building, serving — and let that guide your choices more than status or fashion.
Reflected on verse 18.41?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.