chatur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah:। tasya kartaram api mam viddhy akartaram avyayam॥ 4.13 ॥

According to the three modes of material nature and the work associated with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me. And although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non doer, being unchangeable.

na mam karmani limpanti na me karma-phale sprha। iti mam yo ’bhijanati karmabhir na sa badhyate॥ 4.14 ॥

There is no work that affects Me; nor do I aspire for the fruits of action. One who understands this truth about Me also does not become entangled in the fruitlike reactions of work.

evam jnatva kritam karma purvair api mumuksubhih:। kuru karmaiva tasmat tvam purvaih purvataram kritam॥ 4.15 ॥

All the liberated souls in ancient times acted with this understanding of My transcendental nature. Therefore you should perform your duty, following in their footsteps.

kim karma kim akarmeti kavayo ’py atra mohitah:। tat te karma pravaksyami yaj jnatva moksyase ’subhat॥ 4.16 ॥

Even the intelligent are bewildered in determining what is action and what is inaction. Now I shall explain to you what action is, knowing which you shall be liberated from all misfortune.

karmano hy api boddhavyam boddhavyam cha vikarmanah:। akarmanas cha boddhavyam gahana karmano gatih:॥ 4.17 ॥

The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.

karmany akarma yah pasyed akarmani cha karma yah:। sa buddhiman manusyesu sa yuktah krtsna-karma-krt॥ 4.18 ॥

One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.