Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of ActionKrishna
Verse 13
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 4, श्लोक 13
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः।
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम्॥
Transliteration
Chatur-Varnyam Maya Srishtam Guna-Karma-Vibhagashah.
Tasya Kartaram-Api Mam Viddhy-Akartaram-Avyayam.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
चातुर्वर्ण्यम्chatur-varnyamthe four divisions of society
मयाmayaby Me
सृष्टम्srishtamcreated
गुणकर्मविभागशःguna-karma-vibhagashahaccording to qualities and actions
तस्यtasyaof that
कर्तारम्kartaramcreator
अपिapialthough
माम्mamMe
विद्धिviddhiknow
अकर्तारम्akartaramnon-doer
अव्ययम्avyayamimperishable
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
गुण और कर्मों के विभाग के अनुसार मेरे द्वारा चार वर्णों की रचना की गई है। यद्यपि मैं उसका कर्ता हूँ, तथापि मुझ अव्यय को अकर्ता जानो।
English Translation
The four divisions of human society were created by Me according to the differentiation of qualities and actions. Though I am the creator of this system, know Me to be the non-doer and imperishable.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna explains that the social order (varna) is based on qualities (guna) and work (karma), not birth. Though He created this system, He remains unaffected by it because He acts without attachment or selfish motive. This verse demonstrates the paradox of divine action — God creates yet remains beyond creation, acts yet remains the eternal non-doer.