शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम्।
दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम्।।18.43।।
18.43 The natural duties of the Ksatriyas are heroism, boldness, fortitude, capability, and also not retreating from battle, generosity and lordliness.
18.43 Prowess, splendour, firmness, dexterity and also not fleeing from battle, generosity and lordliness are the duties of the Kshatriyas, born of (their own) nature.
18.43. Heroic deed, fiery energy, firmness, dexterity, and also non-feeling form battle, giving gifts, overlordship, are the duties of the Ksatriyas, born of their nature.
18.43 शौर्यम् prowess? तेजः splendour? धृतः firmness? दाक्ष्यम् dexterity? युद्धे in battle? च and? अपि also? अपलायनम् not fleeing? दानम् generosity? ईश्वरभावः lordliness? च and? क्षात्रम् of Kshatriyas? कर्म action? स्वभावजम् born of nature.Commentary It is the first duty of Kshatriya (man of the warrior class or of royal blood) to be brave and chivalrous. Bravery is that sublime virtue through which one is naturally strong? vigorous and courageous. In the face of the most terrible calamity the mind will not be in the least perturbed. The Kshatriya is firm under any unfavourable or trying conditions or circumstances. He does not get the least depression of spirit even when he is in adverse circumstances. It is the skill by which the reason finds out its path amidst all untoward circumstances and eventually attains its goal. This is firmness? fortitude or courage.Dakshya Promptness He is able to decide rightly on the spot in matters that deman prompt attention doing without confusion? of duties which present themselves all of a sudden and demand prompt action.As the sunflower always turns its face towards the sun so does he always face his enemies. He will ever avoid turning his back to them on the field of battle. He is absolutely fearless. Just as a tree gives away its flowers and fruits freely to whoever desires them? as the jasmine sends out its sweet fragrace in every direction? so will a Kshatriya generously give to another whatever may be asked of him. His charity is boundless.Lordliness A Kshatriya king enjoys sovereignty over his subjects owing to the sure protection he grants them? exercises ruling power over his subjects who are to be ruled? and raises the rod of chastisement to punish the unrighteous or the wicked.
18.43 Svabhavajam, the natural; ksatra-karma, [A variant reading is ksatram karma.-Tr.] enjoined duties of the Ksatriyas, of the Ksatriya caste; are sauryam, heroism; tejah, boldness; dhrtih, fortitude, as is seen in the case of one who is not depressed under all circumstances, being sustained by doggedness; daksyam, capability engagement without confusion in duties which suddenly present them-selves; api ca, and also; apalayanam, not retreating; yuddhe, from battle, not fleeing from enemies; danam, generosity, being free in the distribution of gifts; isvarabhavah, lordliness, manifesting (exercising) rulership over those who have to be ruled.
18.43 See Comment under 18.60
18.43 Valour is the ability of plunging into a battle without fear. Invincibility is the capacity to remain undefeated by others. Steadiness is the capacity to complete a work that has been started despite obstacles. Adroitness is the ability in executing all works. Apalayana is not fleeing in a battle though one is convinced of ones death. Generosity is parting with ones own possessions to others even to its entirety. Lordliness is the capacity to govern all others. This is the duty of a Ksatriya born of his inherent nature.
This verse describes the activities of the ksatriya, in whom raja guna becomes prominent and sattva becomes secondary. Courage (sauryam), confidence (tejah), fortitude (dhrtih), and controlling others (isvara bhavah), and not fleeing from battle are the activities of the ksatriya.
The natural duties of a ksatriya or royal warrior class is given by Lord Krishna. Heroism, valour, boldness, intrepidness, stableness, dexterity, fearlessness, and majesty are born of their nature in raja guna the mode of passion. Additional qualities of the ksatriyas are generosity, liberality and leadership and are of the nature of sattva guna the mode of goodness.
There is no commentary for this verse.
Lord Krishna describes the natural duties of ksatriya the royal governing warrior class. 1) sauryam is bravery, valour and intrepidness in conflict without hesitation. 2) tejah is courageous, fiery nature that does not back down. 3) dhritih is endurance to persevere in an endeavour despite difficulties. 4) daksyam is adroitness, dexterity the ability to adjust in th execution of duties. 5) apalyanam is absence of cowardice even in the case of life or death. 6) danam is benevolence, generosity to others in need. 7) isvara-bhavah the capacity to lead and govern dependents.
Lord Krishna describes the natural duties of ksatriya the royal governing warrior class. 1) sauryam is bravery, valour and intrepidness in conflict without hesitation. 2) tejah is courageous, fiery nature that does not back down. 3) dhritih is endurance to persevere in an endeavour despite difficulties. 4) daksyam is adroitness, dexterity the ability to adjust in th execution of duties. 5) apalyanam is absence of cowardice even in the case of life or death. 6) danam is benevolence, generosity to others in need. 7) isvara-bhavah the capacity to lead and govern dependents.
Shauryam tejo dhritirdaakshyam yuddhe chaapyapalaayanam; Daanameeshwarabhaavashcha kshaatram karmaswabhaavajam.
śhauryam—valor; tejaḥ—strength; dhṛitiḥ—fortitude; dākṣhyam yuddhe—skill in weaponry; cha—and; api—also; apalāyanam—not fleeing; dānam—large-heartedness; īśhvara—leadership; bhāvaḥ—qualities; cha—and; kṣhātram—of the warrior and administrative class; karma—work; svabhāva-jam—born of one’s intrinsic qualities
