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Of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas, as also of Sudras, O Arjuna, the duties are distributed according to the alities born of their own nature.

The duties of brahmins, kshatriyas and vaishyas, and of shudras too, scorcher of foes, are divided according to the qualities arising from their inborn nature.

Krishna turns to the social order. The duties of brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras, the four classes (varṇa) of the society of his time, are divided according to qualities arising from each person's inborn nature (svabhāva). The verse grounds social roles in inner qualities rather than in privilege. Readers have long debated whether this means a fixed order by birth or a fit between temperament and work. The passage that follows describes each class through its characteristic virtues and tasks.