Chapter 18, Verse 43
शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् | दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ||१८-४३||
śauryaṃ tejo dhṛtirdākṣyaṃ yuddhe cāpyapalāyanam . dānamīśvarabhāvaśca kṣātraṃ karma svabhāvajam ||18-43||
Meaning
18.43 Prowess, splendour, firmness, dexterity and also not fleeing from battle, generosity and lordliness are the duties of the Kshatriyas, born of (their own) nature.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
Krishna names the qualities natural to the kshatriya, the protector and leader: bravery (shaurya), vigour (tejas), fortitude (dhriti), skill, steadfastness in battle, generosity, and the capacity to lead (ishvara-bhava). This list speaks directly to Arjuna, whose very crisis is whether to fight.
The verse honors a temperament built for courageous action and responsibility. For one of this nature, withdrawal from rightful struggle is a betrayal of self, while standing firm, leading, giving generously, and protecting others is the path of fulfillment. Krishna thus reminds Arjuna that his duty as a warrior is not a curse but the natural and noble expression of who he truly is.
💡 Key Takeaway
The life of action and leadership calls for courage, fortitude, generosity, and never fleeing rightful struggle.
Related Verses
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् | यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ||१८-५||
yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyaṃ kāryameva tat . yajño dānaṃ tapaścaiva pāvanāni manīṣiṇām ||18-5||
18.5 Acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity should not be abandoned, but should be performed; sacrifice, gift and also austerity are the purifiers of the wise.
एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च | कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् ||१८-६||
etānyapi tu karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā phalāni ca . kartavyānīti me pārtha niścitaṃ matamuttamam ||18-6||
18.6 But even these actions should be performed leaving aside attachment and the desire for rewards, O Arjuna; this is My certain and best conviction.
नियतस्य तु संन्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते | मोहात्तस्य परित्यागस्तामसः परिकीर्तितः ||१८-७||
niyatasya tu saṃnyāsaḥ karmaṇo nopapadyate . mohāttasya parityāgastāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ ||18-7||
18.7 Verily the renunciation of obligatory action is not proper; the abandonment of the same from delusion is declared to be Tamasic.