Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.13 चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः
श्लोक 4.13
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः ।
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ॥
cāturvarṇyaṃ mayā sṛṣṭaṃ guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ |
tasya kartāramapi māṃ viddhyakartāramavyayam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
गुण और कर्म के विभाग के अनुसार चारों वर्ण मेरे द्वारा रचे गए हैं। उनका रचयिता होते हुए भी मुझ अविनाशी को तुम अकर्ता ही जानो।
Meaning in English
The fourfold social order was created by Me according to the division of qualities and work. Though I am its creator, know Me as the non-doer and unchanging.
Bhagavad Gita 4.13 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| चातुर्वर्ण्यम् | cātur-varṇyam | the fourfold order |
| मया सृष्टम् | mayā sṛṣṭam | was created by me |
| गुणकर्मविभागशः | guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ | according to qualities and actions |
| तस्य | tasya | of it |
| कर्तारम् अपि | kartāram api | though the creator |
| माम् | mām | me |
| विद्धि | viddhi | know |
| अकर्तारम् | akartāram | the non-doer |
| अव्ययम् | avyayam | imperishable |
Explanation
The fourfold order was created by me according to the division of qualities (guṇa) and actions (karma). Though I am its creator, know me to be the non-doer, the imperishable.
The verse grounds the four varnas in guṇa and karma — a person's nature and work — and does not mention birth. Over the centuries this has been read in different ways: some commentators took it to support a birth-based order, while reformers from Vivekananda to Gandhi read it as describing natural aptitudes, and Dr Ambedkar and other critics argued that in practice it was used to justify caste hierarchy. The second line adds that the Lord, though the source of all, remains untouched by action.
भावार्थ
चारों वर्णों की रचना मैंने गुण और कर्म के विभाग के अनुसार की है; उसका कर्ता होते हुए भी मुझे अकर्ता और अविनाशी जानो।
Living it today
Respect people for their qualities and work, never for the family they were born into.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.13?
The fourfold order was created by me according to the division of qualities (guṇa) and actions (karma). Though I am its creator, know me to be the non-doer, the imperishable.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.13?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.13 in daily life?
Respect people for their qualities and work, never for the family they were born into.
Reflected on verse 4.13?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.