“According to the three modes of material nature and the work associated with them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, even as I am the author of this system, know that I am still the non-doer, unchangeable.”

Context of the Verse:

            This verse is in chapter 4: Gyana Yoga (The Yoga of knowledge) where Lord Krishna reveals His identity and describes the knowledge of action, inaction and of the field.

            Krishna explains the foundation of the four Varnashrama system (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya, Shudra ) in this verse and mentions it is not by birth but by the Gunas (qualities) and Karma (activity) of an individual.

Key Teachings in This Verse:

• The Varnashrama is based on Guna and Karma not on Jati.
• God is the source of the social structure, but is not affected and does not change.
• Even if He act (seems to act), then also He is action-less (Akarta).
• This sutra establishes a nondual view of action and renunciation in anticipation of Karma Yoga.

Relevance to Arjuna:

• Arjuna is a born Kshatriya (warrior) and embodies the qualities of one.
• Krishna recalls him to his role as a warrior and prince and as a human.
• Arjuna’s hesitation results from personal ties; Krishna tells him to act without attachment, as He (Krishna) also worked without being caught.

Explanation:

            Somebody thought up democracy. Someone dreamed up communism. Somebody thought up capitalism. Who has devised this Varnashrama? Who created the Brahmana, the Kshatriya, the Vaishya, the Shudra ? Yes, why are these chasms prevalent in the society, one may wonder.

            Nothing wrong in the different principles, different Yoga systems, they have their base in some sages or incarnations of the Lord. The disciple, who is in doubt, became silent and Lord Kapil spoke on the practice of Sankhya Yoga. Another counterfeit Kapila has enunciated the same doctrine. Then Yoga Sutras are offered by Patanjali. And then there is Karma Mimansa by Gemini. Vedavyas has written the philosophy known as Vedanta. There are some Nyaya Logic teachers also and the head of them is Canard & Gautam. But who has built up this philosophy, life’s plan, or Varnashrama? Which is being followed by many and their remains of that distorted format are there in the form of caste system. Who has created the system? Why no one is saying that I have made? Why is there nothing in history? Yes, we will not find because it is from God, from the time of the beginning of creation.

            What is the basis? It’s trying to understand why this existence. Rajo Guna, Tamo Guna and Sattva Guna, these three energies as we explained they are controlling every one of us, now people who are covered under the Tamo Guna mode of ignorance, they are called Shudra s. Who have the combination of Rajo Guna and Tamo Guna. They are known as Vaishya or working class. Shudra  means working class. And further equally still those who are in the mode of passion the mode of passion is known as the Rajo Guna and predominating abhorred to whom they are known as Kshatriya the Warrior or the administrative class. And the people who are in Sattva Guna, so they are called Brahmanas or priest and educators. So, everyone now works to become a Brahmana. Life’s purpose is to know the spiritual reality. And if an individual does not become a Brahmana, then he becomes very Sattvik. “Collision” isn’t the issue nor is “Getting to spiritual platform,” nor is “Understanding God trustworthy.” But that typically takes a really long time. Thus, life after life a person maintains the rules and regulations very nicely. Over a long time, they will finally have a Brahmana body. If there is someone, they can perform it in this life also and they are pressed to do so, although it’s going to be difficult. So, this is the caste system that we see today, this is not the Varnashrama system and we discussed about this earlier. As well Krishna says specifically according to the nature and according to the actions.

            If there are anyone has now also, we are belonging to such society we saw divisions are there and divisions are required. Somebody engineers, doctors, somebody a defense person on the basis of their qualification and their deeds. Similarly, if someone is having the credentials of mind control, sense control, always truthfull, clean, and Atmanari, then it is that we become very much expective to them. Such a one who has great knowledge of the Vedas is known as the Brahmana. If a man is inclined towards being chivalrous, administrative driven then that person is called as Kshatriya. Those who have got the tendencies to create the food grains, do business, Productive class, and earn, they are called Vaishya. Some people were content doing their work; they’re referred to as Shudra s. So, divisions are based on qualities and actions. So that’s really a sad, twisted system that we see now. It had never been a hereditary basis for caste. It was founded on Guna and Karma, that is, quality and action.

            And according to these Varnashrama they are expected to practice the Ashramas. As Shudra  does not have much qualities hence only Grihastha Ashram has been recommended for them. Vaishyas have more qualifications, they also need Brahmacharya Ashram. And Vaishyas should come to me for schools and education.” Shudra s are not deserving of education, so they do not have the right to education, and if they take education, they may misuse it. This is why schools are not for them. Just as it is, people are Shudra s and they are educating. They make big, big mistakes and big, big scams and the entire mankind suffers.

            So if you have an education disaster from this Shudra, you will create big, big scams and all these things will happen.  They have no intelligence, no education, and they belong to the mercantile group; they are allowed to go to school or Gurukula, but up to the Grihastha Ashram. Kshatriyas are permitted to go and that is also a way until Vanaprastha Ashram, it is advised. And only Brahmanas can take Sanyas. Ideal Vairagya detachment from the world of desires. Others though they get a little dissatisfied, withdrawal from the material world is not allowed at all. Because the body does not want to go on like that. So therefore, it is a very, very scientific process of advancement from the platform of gross ignorance to the platform of full knowledge, and from the platform of full knowledge to developing love for God.