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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 43 (18.43)

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 43 (18.43)

शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् । दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् | | १८-४३ | |

śhauryaṁ tejo dhṛitirdākṣhyaṁ yuddhe chāpyapalāyanam dānamīśhvarabhāvaśhcha kṣhātraṁ karma svabhāvajam

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • शौर्यम् (śhauryam) — शौर्य(heroism)
  • तेजः (tejah) — तेज(vigor/splendour)
  • धृतिः (dhṛitih) — धृति(determination)
  • दाक्ष्यम् (dākṣhyam) — कुशलता(dexterity/skill)
  • उए (yuddhe) — युद्ध(in battle)
  • c joined in chāpyapalāyanam
  • अपि (api) — भी(and also)
  • अपलायनम् (apalāyanam) — न भागना(not running away)
Line 2:
  • दानम् (dānam) — दान(charity)
  • ईश्वरभावः (īśhvara-bhāvaḥ) — नेतृत्व भाव(leadership/ruling ability)
  • (cha) — और(and)
  • क्षात्रम् (kṣhātram) — क्षत्रिय का(of a warrior)
  • कर्म (karma) — कर्म(duty)
  • स्वभावजम् (svabhāva-jam) — स्वभाव से उत्पन्न(born of nature)

English: Valour, glory, firmness, skill, generosity, steadiness in battle and ability to rule - these constitute the duty of a soldier. They flow from his own nature.

💡 Commentary Note

A Kshatriya's natural duties include courage, strength, determination, administrative skill, leadership, and generosity.

Learnings from Shloka 43:
  • Leadership & Protection:: Protecting the weak and maintaining order require courage and active strength.
  • Dexterity in Action:: Effective leaders combine organizational skills with a generous and brave heart.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

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Match Sanskrit words from shloka 18.43 with their Hindi and English meanings.

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