18.43 Sauryam thEjO dhruthir dhAkshyam

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama:  SrImath varavaramunayE nama:

Chapter 18

<< Chapter 18 Verse 42

SlOkam – Original

Sauryam thEjO dhruthir dhAkshyam yudhdhE chApyapalAyanam |
dhAnam ISvarabhAvaS cha kshAthram karma svabhAvajam ||

word-by-word meaning

Sauryam – valour which makes one enter into a battlefield fearlessly
thEja: – being undefeatable
dhruthi: – standing firm and completing the tasks which were commenced even when hurdles occur
dhAkshyam – ability to accomplish everything
yudhdhE chApi apalAyanam – not retracting from a battlefield even if death is assured
dhAnam – donating one’s belongings to others in charity
ISvara bhAva: cha – ability to control one’s citizens
svabhAvajam – acquired by [birth based on] previous karma
kshAthram cha – activities for kshathriya

Simple Translation

Valour which makes one enter into a battlefield fearlessly, being undefeatable, standing firm and completing the tasks which were commenced even when hurdles occur, ability to accomplish everything, not retracting from a battlefield even if death is assured, donating one’s belongings to others in charity, ability to control one’s citizens are the activities for kshathriya which are acquired by [birth based on] previous karma.

Rendering based on ALkoNdavilli gOvindhAchArya swAmy’s English translation of gIthA bhAshyam

‘Bravery, fire, constancy, adroitness, and not retreating in battle, benevolence, and the nature to rule; —these are duties native to the Kshatriya.’

Śauryam = Bravery = The intrepid plunging into conflict.

Tejas = fire = The invincibility or irresistible front presented to others.

Dhṛitiḥ = Constancy = The perseverent carrying through any enterprize despite difficulties or hindrances.

Dākshyam = Adroitness = The ability in execution of all work.

Apalāyanam = Not running away from battle, albeit one is convinced of his death.

Dānam = Benevolence = The parting with one’s own property for the benefit of others.

Īśvarabhāva = Nature or capacity to govern others.

All these are duties proper to a Kshatriya.

>> Chapter 18 Verse 44

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