Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 43

Chapter 18 – Moksha Sanyasa Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् ।
दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ॥

Transliteration

śauryaṃ tejo dhṛtirdākṣyaṃ yuddhe cāpyapalāyanam .
dānamīśvarabhāvaśca kṣātraṃ karma svabhāvajam ॥

Meaning

Heroism, vigour, fortitude, resourcefulness, not fleeing from battle, generosity and leadership — these are the duties of the kshatriya, born of his nature.

Word meanings

शौर्यम् – heroism, valour
तेजः – vigour, majesty
धृतिः – fortitude
दाक्ष्यम् – resourcefulness, skill
युद्धे – in battle
च अपि – and also
अपलायनम् – not fleeing
दानम् – generosity
ईश्वरभावः – lordliness, capacity to lead and govern
च – and
क्षात्रम् – of the kshatriya
कर्म – duty
स्वभावजम् – born of nature

Anvaya (word order)

शौर्यं तेजः धृतिः दाक्ष्यं युद्धे च अपि अपलायनं दानम् ईश्वरभावः च (इति) स्वभावजं क्षात्रं कर्म ।

Explanation

This verse is especially significant for Arjuna, because it describes his own svadharma. Seven natural qualities or duties of the kshatriya are given, marked by the predominance of rajas supported by sattva. Shaurya — valour, the courage to face danger. Tejas — the vigour and majesty that make the wicked afraid and reassure the good. Dhriti — not losing fortitude even in adversity.

Dakshya — skill, especially the ability to make the right decision at once when sudden situations arise. Yuddhe chapy apalayanam — not turning one's back in battle. This phrase strikes directly at Arjuna, who had just been speaking of withdrawing from the war. Krishna reminds him that not fleeing from a righteous war is the natural dharma of a kshatriya.

Dana — generosity. The kshatriya is not only a warrior but a protector and sustainer of his people; whatever resources he holds are for the welfare of society. Ishvara-bhava — lordliness, the capacity to lead and govern. Shankara explains it as the manifestation of authority over those to be governed. Yet this authority is not ego but the responsibility of protection and justice.

These qualities show that the essence of kshatriya-dharma is not violence but protection — protection of the weak, of dharma, of the social order. In today's context the list is an ideal for all who hold positions of leadership, administration, the armed forces, police or any public responsibility. A true leader is courageous, commanding, steady, capable, unflinching before duty, generous and just.

Context

The previous verse described the natural duties of the brahmana. This verse describes those of the kshatriya — Arjuna's own svadharma. The next verse (18.44) describes the duties of the vaishya and the shudra.

Life lesson

Leadership means not privilege but protecting others with courage, steadiness, skill and generosity. Do not turn your back on difficult duty. Whoever holds responsibility should devote their resources to the welfare of society.

Key terms

Shaurya: Valour, courage
Tejas: Vigour and majesty
Dakshya: Skill, resourcefulness
Apalayana: Not fleeing from battle or duty
Ishvara-bhava: Capacity to lead and govern