चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः | तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ||४-१३||
cāturvarṇyaṃ mayā sṛṣṭaṃ guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ . tasya kartāramapi māṃ viddhyakartāramavyayam ||4-13||
Chapter 4 · Verse 13
Jnana Yoga
ज्ञानयोग
In plain words
The four castes (Brahmana. Kshatriya. Vaishya and Sudra) are classified according to the differentiation of Guna and Karma.
Translation
4.13 The system of four stations was created by Me according to distinction of Gunas and Karma. Though I am their creator, know Me as non-agent 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).
Word by word
चातुर्वर्ण्यम् the fourfold caste मया be Me सृष्टम् has been created गुणकर्मविभागशः according to the differentiation of Guna and Karma तस्य thereof कर्तारम् the author अपि also माम् Me विद्धि know अकर्तारम् nondoer अव्ययम् immutable.