brahmana--the brahmanas; ksatriya--the ksatriyas; visam--the vaisyas; sudranam--the sudras; ca--and; parantapa--O subduer of the enemies; karmani--activities; pravibhaktani--are divided; svabhava--own nature; prabhavaih--born of; gunaih--by the modes of material nature.

Brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras are distinguished by their qualities of work, O chastiser of the enemy, in accordance with the modes of nature.