Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga - The Yoga of KnowledgeKrishna
Verse 31
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 2, श्लोक 31
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि।
धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते॥३१॥
Transliteration
Sva-Dharmam-Api Cha-Avekshya Na Vikampitum-Arhasi.
Dharmyad-Dhi Yuddhach-Chreyo'nyat Kshatriyasya Na Vidyate.||31||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
स्वधर्मम्sva-dharmamyour own duty
अवेक्ष्यavekshyaconsidering
न विकम्पितुम् अर्हसिna vikampitum arhasiyou should not waver
धर्म्यात्dharmyatthan righteous
युद्धात्yuddhatthan battle
श्रेयःshreyahbetter
अन्यत्anyatanything else
क्षत्रियस्यkshatriyasyafor a warrior
न विद्यतेna vidyatedoes not exist
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
अपने क्षत्रिय धर्म को देखते हुए भी तुम्हें विचलित नहीं होना चाहिए। क्षत्रिय के लिए धर्मयुक्त युद्ध से बढ़कर दूसरा कोई कल्याणकारी कर्तव्य नहीं है।
English Translation
Considering your own dharma as a warrior, you should not waver. For a Kshatriya, there is nothing better than a righteous battle.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna now shifts from metaphysics to practical ethics. After explaining the soul's immortality, He addresses Arjuna's duty as a Kshatriya. Every person has a svadharma (inherent duty based on their nature and role). For a warrior, fighting a righteous war is the highest dharma. Avoiding it would be a violation of one's essential nature.