ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परंतप ।
कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः ॥
कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे परंतप ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय, वैश्य और शूद्रोंके कर्म स्वभावसे उत्पन्न हुए तीनों गुणोंके द्वारा विभक्त किये गये हैं ॥
English
O scorcher of foes, the duties of priests, warriors, merchants, and workers are divided according to the qualities born of their nature.
What this verse means
Different kinds of work belong to different people according to their nature and qualities.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield at Kurukshetra, Arjuna still hesitates while Krishna keeps unfolding the structure of right action. Here Krishna explains that social roles and duties are not random; they arise from the qualities built into a person's nature.
Why this verse still matters
A student keeps forcing themselves into a career because everyone praises it, while their real strengths are elsewhere. The pressure eases when they stop copying and start listening to what fits.
The takeaway
You do not have to copy someone else’s role. Your nature points toward the work that fits you.
Word-by-word translation
ब्राह्मण-क्षत्रिय-विशां (of priests, warriors, merchants) / शूद्राणां (of workers) / च (and) / परंतप (O scorcher of foes) / कर्माणि (duties / actions) / प्रविभक्तानि (are divided) / स्वभाव-प्रभवैः (born of one’s nature) / गुणैः (by the qualities)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation, which contains 78 verses.
Explore related themes: dharma (14 verses)