Bhagavad Gita BG 18.43
Chapter 18, Verse 43 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् । दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ॥
shauryam tejo dhrtir daksyam yuddhe capy apalAyanam danam ishvara-bhavas ca kshAtram karma svabhava-jam
Meaning
Heroism, majesty, firmness, skill, not fleeing in battle, generosity, and the nature of a ruler — these are the Kshatriya's duties, born of their nature.
Understanding
The kshatriya svadharma: shaurya (heroism, valor), tejas (majesty, blazing presence), dhriti (firmness, resoluteness), dakshya (skill, expertise in craft). Yuddhe ca apy apalAyanam (and not fleeing in battle — the fundamental warrior quality: standing one's ground). Dana (generosity — the ruler's duty to give) and ishvara-bhava (the nature/disposition of a ruler — leadership quality). The kshatriya function is protection, leadership, and the exercise of power in service of dharma. Not domination but protection. The skill, majesty, and non-retreat are in service of protecting the social order.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| शौर्यम् | shauryam | heroism, valor, courage in battle |
| तेजः | tejah | majesty, blazing presence, radiance of authority |
| दाक्ष्यम् | daksyam | skill, expertise, dexterity |
| अपलायनम् | apalAyanam | not fleeing, not retreating, standing firm in battle |
| ईश्वरभावः | ishvara-bhavas | the nature of a ruler/lord, leadership disposition |
| शौर्यम् | śauryam | heroism, valor |
| तेजः | tejaḥ | power, vigor |
| धृतिः | dhṛtiḥ | determination |
| दाक्ष्यम् | dākṣyam | skill, expertise |
| युद्धे | yuddhe ca api | and also in battle |
| अपलायनम् | apalāyanam | not fleeing, standing firm |
| दानम् | dānam | charity, generosity |
| ईश्वर-भावः | īśvara-bhāvaḥ ca | and leadership ability |
| क्षात्रम् | kṣātram | of the kshatriya |
| कर्म | karma | duty |
| स्वभाव-जम् | svabhāva-jam | born of one's nature |