ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप | कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः
brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāṃ śūdrāṇāṃ ca parantapa . karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāvaprabhavairguṇaiḥ
喔，降敵者 (Parantapa)！婆羅門 (Brāhmaṇa)、剎帝利 (Kṣatriya) 和吠舍 (Vaiśya) 的職責，以及首陀羅 (Śūdra) 的職責，都已根據源於本性 (Prakṛti) 的屬性 (guṇas) 完整劃分。
O scorcher of enemies, the duties of the Brahmanas, the Ksatriyas and the Vaisyas, as also of the Sudras have been fully classified according to the gunas born from Nature.
婆羅門、剎帝利和吠舍有資格實踐吠陀儀式。喔，阿周那！第四種姓的成員無權參與這些儀式，因為他們的職責是服務前三種姓的成員。他們不被允許學習吠陀或執行祭祀 (Yajñas)。人類被組織成四種種姓，每個人的生命根據古納 (Guṇas) 的本質以及成長或進化的程度，分為四個階段。我現在將解釋這些種姓的特定職責，根據其屬性，他們可以藉此擺脫生死的束縛，達到自我 (Ātman) 證悟或自我知識。變性 (Rajas) 稍與闇性 (Tamas) 混合，產生了商人種姓 (吠舍)。變性與闇性混合是首陀羅出現的原因。人類種族根據這三種屬性被劃分為四種種姓。職責根據源於本性的屬性分配給每個人。本性 (Svabhāva) 是伊濕伐羅 (Īśvara) 的原質 (Prakṛti) (摩耶，Māyā)，由悅性 (Sattva)、變性 (Rajas) 和闇性 (Tamas) 三種屬性構成。婆羅門的本性是悅性，因此他寧靜。剎帝利的本性是變性與悅性，其中悅性次於變性，變性佔主導地位，因此他擁有統治力。吠舍的本性是變性與闇性，其中闇性次於變性，因此他從事各種活動或商業以賺取金錢。首陀羅的本性是闇性，變性次之，他遲鈍。業 (Karma) 是源於過去思想和慾望並由其塑造的行動。古納 (Guṇas) 不能無緣無故地顯現。本性是生物中的傾向、潛在習氣 (Saṃskāra) 或習氣 (Vāsanā)。這是他們在過去的生命中獲得的。這在本生中顯現並產生其影響。這種本性是古納的來源。每個人都帶著自己的本性 (Svabhāva) 出生。古納根據人各自的自然傾向運作，這些傾向促使他履行自己的職責，作為其自然的結果。職責根據個人的古納分配給四個階級或種姓。(參見IV.13)
Brahmanas? Kshatriyas and Vaisyas are alified to practise the Vedic rites. The members of the fourth class? O Arjuna? have no claim to these rites? for their profession is to serve the members of the first three. They are not allowed to study the Vedas or perform Yajnas. There is organisation of mankind into the four castes and each mans life is divided into four stages? according to the nature of the Gunas and the degree of the growth or evolution. I will now explain the specific duties of these castes according to the alities by means of which? freeing themselves from the grip of birth and death? they can attain Selfrealisation or knowledge of the Self. Passion (Rajas) slightly mingled with Tamas causes the growth of the merchant caste (the Vaisya). Rajas mixed with Tamas is the cause of the appearance of the Sudra.The one human race has been divided into four castes based upon the three alities. The duties are allotted to each according to the alities born of Nature.Nature (Svabhava) is Isvaras Prakriti (Maya) constituted of the three alities -- Sattva? Rajas and Tamas.The Brahmanas nature is Sattva. So he is serene. The nature of the Kshatriya is Rajas and Sattva. Sattva in his case is subordinate to Rajas. Rajas predominates. Therefore he possesses lordliness. The nature of the Vaisya is Rajas and Tamas. Tamas is subordinate to Rajas. So he does various sorts of activities or business to earn money. The nature of the Sudra is Tamas? with subordinate Rajas. He is dull.Karma is action arising from and fashioned by past thoughts and desires. The Gunas cannot manifest themselves without a cause. Nature is the tendency? Samskara or Vasana in living beings. This is acired by them in the past births. This manifests itself in the present birth and produces its effects. This nature is the source of the Gunas. Every man or woman is born with his or her own Svabhava (nature). The Gunas operate according to the respective natural tendencies of man which impel him to perform his own duties as their natural effects. The duties are allottted to the four classes or castes in accordance with the Gunas of individuals. (Cf.IV.13)