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स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि। धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाछ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते।।2.31।।

swa-dharmam api chāvekṣhya na vikampitum arhasi dharmyāddhi yuddhāch chhreyo ’nyat kṣhatriyasya na vidyate

Sanskrit Chant Recitation
Chapter 2, Verse 31
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Scripture Translation Room

Sanskrit to English Translation

Translator:
Further, having regard to your duty, you should not waver, for there is nothing higher for a Kshatriya than a righteous war.

A Reading - Rantideb

Why: Krishna shifts tactics entirely here, from metaphysics to plain duty, your dharma alone doesn't leave room for retreat.

In life: sometimes the philosophical argument won't move you, but the practical one, this is simply your job to do, will.

Teaching: when you're stuck in analysis, try the simpler question: setting the big picture aside, what does the role I'm actually in require of me right now?

swa-dharmamone’s duty in accordance with the Vedas
apialso
chaand
avekṣhyaconsidering
nanot
vikampitumto waver
arhasishould
dharmyātfor righteousness
hiindeed
yuddhātthan fighting
śhreyaḥbetter
anyatanother
kṣhatriyasyaof a warrior
nanot
vidyateexists

Deep Classical Commentary (Bhashya)

Author:
2.31 स्वधर्मम् own duty? अपि also? च and? अवेक्ष्य looking at? न not? विकम्पितुम् to waver? अर्हसि (thou) oughtest? धर्म्यात् than righteous? हि indeed? युद्धात् than war? श्रेयः higher? अन्यत् other? क्षत्रियस्य of a Kshatriya? न not? विद्यते is.Commentary Lord Krishna now gives to Arjuna wordly reasons for fighting. Up to this time? He talked to Arjuna on the immortality of the Self and gave him philosophical reasons. Now He says to Arjuna? O Arjuna Fighting is a Kshatriyas own duty. You ought not to swerve from that duty. To a Kshatriyta (one born in the warrior or ruling class) nothing is more welcome than a righteous war. A warrior should fight.