Bhagavad Gita BG 18.41
Chapter 18, Verse 41 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप । कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः ॥
brahmanakshatriya-vishAm shudranam ca parantapa karmani pravibhaktani svabhava-prabhavair gunaih
Meaning
The duties of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras are divided according to the qualities born of their own nature, O scorcher of foes.
Understanding
The fourfold varna-karma distribution: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra duties are pravibhaktani (divided, distributed) by svabhava-prabhavair gunaih (the gunas born of one's own nature/svabhava). The duties are NOT determined by birth lineage but by the predominant guna-composition of one's svabhava. A person predominantly sattvic in nature tends toward brahmin duties; predominantly rajasic toward kshatriya; rajasic-tamasic mixed toward vaishya; predominantly tamasic toward shudra. The system as described by Krishna is functional/psychological, not hereditary.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रविभक्तानि | pravibhaktani | divided, distributed, differentiated |
| स्वभावप्रभवैः | svabhava-prabhavair | born of one's own nature (svabhava = innate nature) |
| गुणैः | gunaih | by the gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) |
| ब्राह्मण | brāhmaṇa | the brahmanas (priests and teachers) |
| क्षत्रिय | kṣatriya | the warriors and rulers |
| विशाम् | viśām | the vaishyas (merchants) |
| शूद्राणाम् | śūdrāṇām ca | and the shudras (workers) |
| परन्तप | parantapa | O subduer of enemies |
| कर्माणि | karmaṇi | duties, actions |
| प्रविभक्तानि | pravibhaktāni | distributed, divided |
| स्वभाव-प्रभवैः | svabhāva-prabhavaiḥ | born of one's own nature |
| गुणैः | guṇaiḥ | by the modes of nature |