brāhmaṇa - of the brāhmaṇas; kṣatriya - the kṣatriyas; viśām - and the vaiśyas; śūdrāṇām - of the śūdras; ca - and; parantapa - O subduer of the enemies; karmāṇi - the activities; pravibhaktāni - are divided; svabhāva - their own nature; prabhavaiḥ - born of; guṇaiḥ - by the modes of material nature.

Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras are distinguished by the qualities born of their own natures in accordance with the material modes, O chastiser of the enemy.