For whoever takes refuge in me, O Partha—even those of sinful birth, and women, vaishyas and shudras as well—they too reach the highest goal.
Explanation
Krishna continues telling Arjuna that devotion (bhakti) to him is open to everyone. Those considered lowly by the social order of the time, such as women, vaishyas (traders) and shudras (laborers), or people of "sinful birth" (pāpayoni), can reach the supreme goal (parā gati) by taking refuge in him. Commentators differ on "sinful birth": some take it as a separate group of lowly birth, while others read it as describing the women, vaishyas and shudras just named. Either way, the verse stresses that refuge in the Lord matters more than status.