The four social orders were created by Me according to qualities and actions. Though I am their maker, know Me as the unchanging non-doer.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 4.13
Hindi · हिन्दी
मेरे द्वारा गुणों और कर्मोंके विभागपूर्वक चारों वर्णोंकी रचना की गयी है । उससृष्टिरचना आदि का कर्ता होनेपर भी मुझ अव्यय रमेश्वरको तू अकर्ता जान । कारण कि कर्मोंके फलमें मेरी स्पृहा नहीं है, इसलिये मुझे कर्म लिप्त नहीं करते । इस प्रकार जो मुझे तत्त्वसे जान लेता है, वह भी कर्मोंसे नहीं बँधता ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
चातुर्वर्ण्यम्the four social ordersमयाby Meसृष्टम्createdगुणकर्मविभागशःaccording to division of qualities and actionsतस्यof thatकर्तारम्makerअपिevenमाम्Meविद्धिknowअकर्तारम्as non-doerअव्ययम्unchanging
Read literallythe four social orders · by Me · created · according to division of qualities and actions · of that · maker · even · Me · know · as non-doer · unchanging
Understanding the verse
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Krishna made the four orders by quality and action, yet remains the changeless non-doer.
The four social orders arise from qualities and actions, but Krishna says he remains the unchanging one who is not bound by creation.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna now explains that even the world's order comes from him, yet what he sets in motion never binds him. The teaching points beyond social roles to the unchanging source behind them.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
After thirty years as a bank manager, a man retires and feels lost without the title. Krishna made such roles and stays untouched by them; the role shaped his work, and it never defined all of him.
The takeaway
“You can participate in structure without being trapped by it.”
The four social orders arise from qualities and actions, but Krishna says he remains the unchanging one who is not bound by creation.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.13?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 4.13?
Verse 13 sits in Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "Knowledge and Renunciation of Action". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 4.13 matter today?
After thirty years as a bank manager, a man retires and feels lost without the title. Krishna made such roles and stays untouched by them; the role shaped his work, and it never defined all of him.
Krishna made the four orders by quality and action, yet remains the changeless non-doer.
What this verse means
The four social orders arise from qualities and actions, but Krishna says he remains the unchanging one who is not bound by creation.
Context & commentary
Krishna now explains that even the world's order comes from him, yet what he sets in motion never binds him. The teaching points beyond social roles to the unchanging source behind them.
What it looks like today
After thirty years as a bank manager, a man retires and feels lost without the title. Krishna made such roles and stays untouched by them; the role shaped his work, and it never defined all of him.
“You can participate in structure without being trapped by it.”
Explore related themes: karma (11 verses)