Bhagavad Gita BG 2.31
Chapter 2, Verse 31 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि । धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते ॥ ३१ ॥
sva-dharmam api cāvekṣya na vikampitum arhasi dharmyād dhi yuddhāc chreyo 'nyat kṣatriyasya na vidyate
Meaning
Considering your own duty, you should not waver. Indeed, for a Kshatriya, there is no better engagement than fighting for righteousness.
Understanding
Krishna shifts from philosophy to duty. 'Sva-dharma' — one's own duty according to one's nature and position — is the key concept here. Arjuna is a Kshatriya (warrior-ruler class). For a Kshatriya, righteous war (dharmya yuddha) is not just permitted — it is the highest possible engagement. There is nothing (na vidyate) better (śreyas) for a Kshatriya than righteous battle. Refusing to fight violates Arjuna's own essential nature and duty.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| स्वधर्मम् | sva-dharmam | one's own duty / one's own righteous path |
| अवेक्ष्य | avekṣya | considering / looking at |
| न विकम्पितुम् अर्हसि | na vikampitum arhasi | you should not waver / you should not tremble |
| धर्म्यात् युद्धात् | dharmyāt yuddhāt | than righteous war |
| क्षत्रियस्य | kṣatriyasya | for a Kshatriya (warrior) |
| न विद्यते | na vidyate | there does not exist / there is nothing |
| अपि | api | also / even (emphatic) |
| च | ca | and (conjunction) |
| श्रेयः | śreyaḥ | better / more auspicious |
| अन्यत् | anyat | anything else / other (engagement) |
| हि | hi | for / indeed (causal particle) |