Verse-41
Chapter 18 — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Verse 41
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśām śūdrāṇām ch parantapa
karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāvaprabhavairguṇaiḥ
🕉 English Translation
Brahman koyi bhi ho ya Kshatriya,
Vaisya bhale ho ya shudra bhi.
Swabhav se paida hote jo guna,
Vaisa hee karma bhed sunn.
📜 Translation
English
O Scorcher of foes! The works of Brahmans (scholars), Kshatriyas (warriors) Vaishyas (traders) and Shudras (labourers) have been divided according to the attributes born of their nature.
Wherever the issue of satvic qualities has been discussed, invariably the indication was given regarding the deeds regulated by one's nature. To carry out the deeds which are born of nature without desire for reward and attachment and egoism has been stressed upon greatly in the Gita's inspirations. One question naturally crops up here—what is the natural work for a particular order of person of the society? Now in this section the Blessed Lord is going to offer clarification for the same. Here is given the indication for the commencement of this subject.
The description of the classes in the society has definitely been made in the Gita. But do not become impatient by taking its literal meaning or merely taking note of the word 'classes'. Do not develop a sarcastic attitude that in the Gita by the description of the four classes of the society, the order of the classes has been given prominence and there is discrimination with respect to the classes. In the fourth chapter by making a distinction between the classes, the Blessed Lord has used the words 'Guna karma vibhagasha' (classification of qualities and work deeds) and along with this he has used the words 'swabhav prabhavair gune'. It is the same thing. In the distinction of the classes there is no predominance merely of the castes; the predominance is of the work being done. The impressions of the actions are accumulated in the inner-self. That is the kind of impression; the nature further develops in accordance with it. If the nature is predominantly satvic then Brahman; if along with satvic qualities there is predominance of rajasic qualities then Kshatriya; if there is predominance of rajasic qualities, and satvic and tamasic qualities are at a minimum level then Vaisya and by the predominance of the mixture of rajasic with the tamasic qualities then Shudra class is the order. In accordance with this, follow the action of all of them, which have been described in the ensuing verses. First of all, the functions which are natural for the Brahmins are discussed.