Varna

Color, appearance, class, order. Originally describing the fourfold social division in Vedic society — brāhmaṇa (priests, seers), kṣatriya (warriors, rulers), vaiśya (producers, merchants), and śūdra (servitors).

In the Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa presents varṇa as originating from the division of qualities (guṇa) and actions (karma) within the cosmic body, not from birth alone. The four orders emerge from the distribution of sattva, rajas, and tamas across society.

Classical commentators emphasize guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśa — the division based on qualities and deeds. The Gītā’s teaching on varṇa-dharma is contextual and functional, not an endorsement of rigid social stratification.