Contents
Shri Sankara's Gita Bhashya
(Sri Sankaracharya's Commentary on the Gita)
CHAPTER -4
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13. The fourfold caste was created by Me, by the differentiation of Guna and karma. Though I am the author thereof, know Me to be the non-doer and the changeless. The fourfold caste, the aggregate of the four castes, was created by Me, as stated in the Śruti: "The Brāhmana was His mouth, etc."[1], by the differentiation of Guna and karma, according to the distribution of the gunas—sattva, rajas and tamas—, and according to the distribution of work (activities). The karmas[2] of the Brāhmana, the good in whom (sattva: good ness) predominates, are tranquillity, self-restraint, austerity, etc[3]. The karmas of the Ksatriya, in whom rajas (activity) predominates eclipsing sattva, are prowess, boldness, etc[4]. The duties of the Vaiśya, in whom rajas predominates eclipsing tamas (darkness), are agriculture, etc[5]. The duty of the Śūdra, in whom tamas predominates eclipsing rajas, is service alone. Thus the fourfold caste has been created by Me in accordance with the differences in Guna and karma. This fourfold caste does not exist in the other worlds; hence the qualification,' in the human world' (in the previous verse). Objection: Alas, then, by being the author of the act of creation etc. of the fourfold caste Thou art tied to its consequences and therefore Thou cannot be the ever-free and eternal Lord. Reply: Though I am the author thereof, of that act, function ing through an illusory activity (the activity of Māyā), know Me in reality to be the non-doer, and therefore, the changeless, one not subject to samsāra. With regard to the actions of which you think I am the author, I am in reality not their agent (doer), because: |
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