Chapter 2 · Verse 31

Transcendental Knowledge

स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि। धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाछ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते

swa-dharmam api chāvekṣhya na vikampitum arhasi dharmyāddhi yuddhāch chhreyo ’nyat kṣhatriyasya na vidyate

Word Meanings

swa-dharmam — one’s duty in accordance with the Vedas; api — also; cha — and; avekṣhya — considering; na — not; vikampitum — to waver; arhasi — should; dharmyāt — for righteousness; hi — indeed; yuddhāt — than fighting; śhreyaḥ — better; anyat — another; kṣhatriyasya — of a warrior; na — not; vidyate — exists

Language:

Translation

Considering your own sacred duty as well, you should not waver, for there is nothing greater for a warrior than a righteous war.

Commentary

स्वधर्मम् own duty? अपि also? च and? अवेक्ष्य looking at? न not? विकम्पितुम् to waver? अर्हसि (thou) oughtest? धर्म्यात् than righteous? हि indeed? युद्धात् than war? श्रेयः higher? अन्यत् other? क्षत्रियस्य of a Kshatriya? न not? विद्यते is.Commentary Lord Krishna now gives to Arjuna wordly reasons for fighting. Up to this time? He talked to Arjuna on the immortality of the Self and gave him philosophical reasons. Now He says to Arjuna? O Arjuna Fighting is a Kshatriyas own duty. You ought not to swerve from that duty. To a Kshatriyta (one born in the warrior or ruling class) nothing is more welcome than a righteous war. A warrior should fight.