In Bhagavad Gita 18.41, Krishna says the duties of brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras are divided according to the qualities born of their own nature.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां
शूद्राणां च परन्तप
कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि
स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः ॥ १८-४१ ॥
brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāṃ
śūdrāṇāṃ ca parantapa
karmāṇi pravibhaktāni
svabhāvaprabhavairguṇaiḥ
English transliteration braahmanakshatriyavishaam
shoodraanaam cha parantapa
karmaani pravibhaktaani
svabhaavaprabhavairgunaih ॥ 18.41 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The duties of brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras, O scorcher of foes, are distributed according to the qualities born of their own nature.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशाम् brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśām | of brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas brāhmaṇa (brāhmaṇas) + kṣatriya (kṣatriyas) + viśām (vaiśyas) |
| शूद्राणाम् śūdrāṇām | of śūdras |
| च ca | and |
| परन्तप parantapa | O scorcher of foes |
| कर्माणि karmāṇi | duties |
| प्रविभक्तानि pravibhaktāni | are distributed |
| स्वभावप्रभवैः svabhāvaprabhavaiḥ | born of their own nature svabhāva (own nature) + prabhavaiḥ (born) |
| गुणैः guṇaiḥ | according to the qualities |
Word-wise Chanting
- brāh–ma–ṇa–kṣat–ri–ya–vi–śāṃ 8 syllables braah-ma-na-kshat-ri-ya-vi-shaam
- śūd–rā–ṇāṃ ca pa–ran–ta–pa | 8 syllables shood-raa-naam cha pa-ran-ta-pa
- kar–mā–ṇi pra–vi–bhak–tā–ni 8 syllables kar-maa-ni pra-vi-bhak-taa-ni
- sva–bhā–vap–ra–bha–vair–gu–ṇaiḥ || 18-41 8 syllables sva-bhaa-vap-ra-bha-vair-gu-naih
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 18 Verse 41
Context
Krishna describes the fourfold division of work according to nature (18.41–18.44).
Meaning
Krishna explains that duties are distributed according to svabhāva, one’s inborn nature, and the guṇas that shape it. The four social orders of his time, priests and teachers, rulers and protectors, producers and traders, and workers and servers, are described as expressions of different natures.
In 4.13 Krishna said these divisions are based on guṇa and karma, qualities and actions. Many commentators read this as a principle of vocation by nature, not a rigid hierarchy by birth. Its lasting message is that each person should find work suited to their nature.
In Practice
Reflect on which kind of work truly fits your nature: teaching, protecting, producing or serving.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.