Chapter 4, Verses 13–14

Verse 13

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. Commentary: 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).

Verse 14

न not, माम् Me, कर्माणि actions, लिम्पन्ति taint, न not, मे to Me, कर्मफले in the fruit of actions, स्पृहा desire, इति thus, माम् Me, यः who, अभिजानाति knows, कर्मभिः by actions, न not, सः he, बध्यते is bound. Commentary: As I have neither egoism nor desire for fruits, I am not bound by actions. Wordly people think they are the agents and they perfrom actions. They also expect fruits for their actions. So they take birth again and again. If one works without attachment, without egoism, without expectation of fruits, he too will not be bound by actions. He will be freed from birth and death. (Cf.IX.9).