Chapter 18 Shloka 43
शौर्य तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम्।
दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम्।।४३।।
The Lord now discusses the attributes that spontaneously spring from a Kshatriya’s disposition and the resultant actions.
Valour, brilliance, a resolute determination, shrewdness, a nature which does not flee from battle, charity, the attitude of a master; all these attributes are born from the nature of a Kshatriya.
Little one, now understand the actions of a Kshatriya which spring from his basic disposition.
Shaurya (शौर्य) – Valour
1. Courage is equivalent to shaurya.
2. To do battle justly, in accordance with the rules, is shaurya.
3. To face every situation with a just attitude is shaurya.
4. Immeasurable fearlessness and valour is shaurya.
5. Unlimited energy and prowess is shaurya.
Tej (तेज) – Effulgence
1. That one whose virtue is invincible is said to be full of effulgence.
2. That one whose powerful influence causes every negative trait to be crushed, is said to possess such effulgence.
3. One who is not influenced by another and thus diverted from doing his duty, is indeed full of effulgent energy.
4. A visionary possesses this spiritual effulgence.
5. An adherence to justice has an effulgence of its own.
(For a further elaboration on Tej, refer to Chp.16, shloka 3)
Dhriti (धृति) – Resolute determination
1. A firm resolution is dhriti.
2. To retain one’s resolute forbearance for a sustained period of time isdhriti.
3. Dhriti connotes giving support to another.
4. Dhriti is patient endurance.
5. One who possesses the attributes of a Kshatriya has a special mental determination.
6. The mind’s resolve is dhriti.
(For an elaboration on Dhriti, refer to Chp.18, shloka 29 and Chp.16, shlokas 3, 5, 6)
Daakshyam (दक्षता) – Shrewdness
One who is:
a) extremely careful,
b) extremely clever,
c) worldly wise,
d) proficient in action,
e) alert,
f) thoughtful,
g) dextrous and skilful at work,
h) adept at many jobs,
i) fearless in all situations,
– is said to be daksha.
Apalayanam (अपलायनकर) – To seek no escape from any situation
1. Such a one is devoid of the tendency to flee.
2. He faces all adversity with fortitude.
3. He does not run away from a difficult situation.
4. He does not wash his hands off a difficult task.
5. He does not shirk duty in order to win esteem.
6. He does not find ways to hide when adversity strikes.
7. He never withdraws his friendship.
8. He does not relinquish his loyalty to attain any advantage.
9. He does not maintain silence in order to be dubbed ‘good’, but is straightforward and true.
10. He does not wish to gain freedom from an unpleasant situation.
11. He does not seek to renounce the situation given to him by the Lord.
Daan (दान) – Charity
1. Such people are charitable by nature.
2. The Kshatriya gives of his body-self for the protection of the other.
3. The Kshatriya gives his body in charity for the protection of his nation.
4. Because of his innate protective attitude, he also gifts large quantities of wealth.
5. He is generous by nature.
6. He is compassionate.
7. He recognises the other’s pain.
Thus he gives varied types of charity.
Ishwar bhav (ईश्वर भाव) – Possessing the attitude of a liege
The Kshatriya possesses the qualities of sovereignty.
1. He is like a master.
2. It is his nature to rule.
3. He is a ruler and seeks dominion. These days, most people seek a kingdom to dominate over, but do not possess the attributes of a ruler.
4. Such a one rules over his subjects, but nurtures them like his progeny.
5. He enjoys comfort and gives others the capacity to earn their comforts and pleasures.
6. He is extremely strong and powerful.
7. He never relinquishes justice.
The Lord says, these are the natural deeds of a Kshatriya. He who possesses these qualities is verily a Kshatriya. He who does not possess these qualities but calls himself a Kshatriya is merely an impostor.
