In Bhagavad Gita 4.13, Krishna says that the fourfold order was created by him according to differences of quality and action, yet he is the non-doer and unchanging.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं
गुणकर्मविभागशः
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां
विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम् ॥ ४-१३ ॥
cāturvarṇyaṃ mayā sṛṣṭaṃ
guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ
tasya kartāramapi māṃ
viddhyakartāramavyayam
English transliteration chaaturvarnyam mayaa srishtam
gunakarmavibhaagashah
tasya kartaaramapi maam
viddhyakartaaramavyayam ॥ 4.13 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The fourfold order was created by Me according to the division of qualities and actions. Though I am its creator, know Me to be the non-doer and unchanging.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| चातुर्वर्ण्यम् cāturvarṇyam | the fourfold order cātur (four) + varṇyam (order) |
| मया mayā | by Me |
| सृष्टम् sṛṣṭam | created |
| गुणकर्मविभागशः guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ | according to the division of qualities and actions guṇa (qualities) + karma (actions) + vibhāgaśaḥ (by division) |
| तस्य tasya | of that |
| कर्तारम् kartāram | the creator |
| अपि api | although |
| माम् mām | Me |
| विद्धि viddhi | know |
| अकर्तारम् akartāram | non-doer |
| अव्ययम् avyayam | unchanging |
Word-wise Chanting
- cā–tur–var–ṇyaṃ ma–yā sṛṣ–ṭaṃ 8 syllables chaa-tur-var-nyam ma-yaa srish-tam
- gu–ṇa–kar–ma–vi–bhā–ga–śaḥ | 8 syllables gu-na-kar-ma-vi-bhaa-ga-shah
- tas–ya kar–tā–ra–ma–pi māṃ 8 syllables tas-ya kar-taa-ra-ma-pi maam
- vid–dhya–kar–tā–ra–mav–ya–yam || 4-13 8 syllables vid-dhya-kar-taa-ra-mav-ya-yam
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 4 Verse 13
Context
Krishna speaks of the order of society and his relationship to it.
Meaning
The Gita describes four broad types of human nature and work, the varṇas, as arising from guṇa and karma, qualities and actions, not from birth alone. They are the teachers and thinkers, the protectors and leaders, the producers and traders, and the workers who serve. Krishna is their source, yet he remains akartā, the non-doer, untouched by the action.
The emphasis on qualities and actions points to a natural diversity of human temperaments and callings rather than a fixed hierarchy. Every type of work is part of a single divine order. The second line introduces a key teaching: the Divine acts without being the doer. The next verse explains how.
In Practice
Reflect on your natural qualities and the kind of work that suits them. Honour your work today as part of a larger order.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action). 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.