Verse 4.13
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः। तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम्।।
Transliteration (IAST)
cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ tasya kartāram api māṁ viddhy akartāram avyayam
Word-by-Word Meanings
Translation
According to the three modes of material nature and the work associated with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me. And although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable.
Commentary
Krishna declares the varṇa system is based on guṇa (qualities) and karma (aptitude/work), not birth. Crucially, He simultaneously claims authorship and non-doership - illustrating the principle of action without attachment that is the chapter's central teaching. The divine remains untouched by its own creation.