Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya 137

Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya

Chapter-4 Jñāna Vibhāga Yogaḥ

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cātur-varṇyaṃ mayā sṛṣṭaṃ guṇa karma vibhāgaśaḥ |
tasya kartāram api māṃ viddhy-akartāram avyayam || 13 ||

13. The [social] system of four castes was generated by Me according to division of Gunas and
Karma. Though I am the generator, know Me as a non-agent and immutable.

Commentary

The whole universe from Brahma down to a clump of grass, together with the system of four social divisions divided according to the Gunas [1] and by actions like self-control in accordance with the Gunas, was projected into being by Krishna. The mention of "generation" is for illustration. It is intended also to indicate that the universe is sustained by Krishna alone and is withdrawn by Krishna alone. Krishna is the source of this manifold activity of manifestation, sustentation and destruction, but at the same time is a "non-agent.”

Sri Krishna explains how this is possible.

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References and Context

  1. Drona was the son of a great Rishi Bharadvaja and learned the science of marshal arts from Parasurama. He had thebenediction that he would only die at the time of his choosing and thus was invincible. After a falling out with hischildhood friend Drupada, he took employment in the kaurava court and became the teacher to both the Pandavas andthe Kauravas.