4.13 चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः। तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम्
cāturvarṇyaṃ mayā sṛṣṭaṃ guṇa
Word meanings
chātuḥ-varṇyam—the four categories of occupations;mayā—by me;sṛiṣhṭam—were created;guṇa—of quality;karma—and activities;vibhāgaśhaḥ—according to divisions;tasya—of that;kartāram—the creator;api—although;mām—me;viddhi—know;akartāram—non-doer;avyayam—unchangeable
Verse audio
Divine Verses of the Bhagavad Gita • Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Translation stream
I have created the four-fold caste structure according to the division of their respective qualities and actions. Though I am the creator of this, know Me as the changeless, non-creator.
The four divisions of society (the wise, the soldier, the merchant, the labourer) were created by Me, according to the natural distribution of Qualities and instincts. I am the author of them, though I Myself do no action, and am changeless.
The system of four stations was created by Me according to distinction of Gunas and Karma. Though I am their creator, know Me as non-agent and immutable.
The four castes have been created by Me through a classification of the gunas and duties. Even though I am the agent of that (act of classification), still know Me to be a non-agent and changeless.
The fourfold caste has been created by Me according to the differentiation of Guna and Karma; though I am the author thereof, know Me as the non-doer and immutable.
4.15 एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः। कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम्
evaṃ jñātvā kṛtaṃ karma pūrvair
Word meanings
evam—thus;jñātvā—knowing;kṛitam—performed;karma—actions;pūrvaiḥ—of ancient times;api—indeed;mumukṣhubhiḥ—seekers of liberation;kuru—should perform;karma—duty;eva—certainly;tasmāt—therefore;tvam—you;pūrvaiḥ—of those ancient sages;pūrva-taram—in ancient times;kṛitam—performed
Verse audio
Divine Verses of the Bhagavad Gita • Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Translation stream
Realizing in this fashion, ancient seekers of salvation also undertook action. Hence, you too should, by all means, perform the action that was performed by the ancients.
In the light of wisdom, our ancestors, who sought deliverance, performed their acts. Act thou also, as did our fathers of old.
Knowing thus, even ancient seekers for liberation and work. Therefore, do your wok only as the ancients did in olden times.
Having known thus, duties were performed even by the ancient seekers of Liberation. Thererfore you undertake action itself as was performed earlier by the ancient ones.
Having known this, the ancient seekers after freedom also performed actions; therefore, do thou perform actions as did the ancients in days of yore.
Verse
ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोग
Chapter 4: Wisdom in Action
jñānakarmasaṃnyāsayoga
Chapters
Verses
4.14 न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा। इति मां योऽभिजानाति कर्मभिर्न स बध्यते
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Word meanings
na—not;mām—me;karmāṇi—activities;limpanti—taint;na—nor;me—my;karma-phale—the fruits of action;spṛihā—desire;iti—thus;mām—me;yaḥ—who;abhijānāti—knows;karmabhiḥ—result of action;na—never;saḥ—that person;badhyate—is bound
Verse audio
Divine Verses of the Bhagavad Gita • Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Translation stream
Actions do not stain me, nor do I have a desire for the fruits of them either. Whoever understands me in this way is not bound by their actions.
My actions do not fetter Me, nor do I desire anything that they can bring. He who thus realises Me is not enslaved by action.
Works do not contaminate Me. In Me there is no desire for fruits of actions. He who understands Me thus is not bound by actions.
Actions do not taint Me; for Me there is no hankering for the results of actions. One who knows Me thus, does not become bound by actions.
Actions do not taint Me, nor have I a desire for the fruits of actions. He who knows Me thus is not bound by actions.
