Skip to main content

Bhagavad Gita 18.43 meaningLetting go — and standing up

In simple wordsSo simple a child gets it

“Protectors are brave, strong, skilled and generous.”

What it means

“The natural work of a leader or protector: courage, energy, resilience, skill, not running from a challenge, generosity and leadership.”

Wallpaper

The original Sanskrit

शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् । दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ॥

śauryaṃ tejo dhṛtirdākṣyaṃ yuddhe cāpyapalāyanam dānamīśvarabhāvaśca kṣātraṃ karma svabhāvajam

Translations

Literal translation

The natural duties of the Ksatriyas are heroism, boldness, fortitude, capability, and also not retreating from battle, generosity and lordliness.

Swami Gambhirananda

हिंदी अनुवाद

शौर्य, तेज, धृति, दाक्ष्य (दक्षता), युद्ध से पलायन न करना, दान और ईश्वर भाव (स्वामी भाव) - ये सब क्षत्रिय के स्वाभाविक कर्म हैं।

Swami Tejomayananda

Go deeper

Commentaries

How great teachers across 1,200 years have explained this verse.

Loading commentaries…

Keep reading · 18.44“The natural work of a trader or farmer: agriculture, caring for animals and commerce. The natural work of a worker: service.”