Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.43
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् । दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ॥४३॥
śauryaṃ tejo dhṛtirdākṣyaṃ yuddhe cāpyapalāyanam | dānamīśvarabhāvaśca kṣātraṃ karma svabhāvajam ||43||
Complete Shloka Translation
Courage, vigor, fortitude, competence, not fleeing in battle, generosity and leadership are kshatriya duties born of nature.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| शौर्य | śaurya | courage |
| दाक्ष्य | dākṣya | competence |
| शौर्यं | śauryaṃ | [term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com... |
| तेजो | tejo | [term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com... |
| धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं | dhṛtirdākṣyaṃ | [term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com... |
| युद्धे | yuddhe | [term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com... |
| चाप्यपलायनम् | cāpyapalāyanam | [term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com... |
| दानमीश्वरभावश्च | dānamīśvarabhāvaśca | [term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com... |
| क्षात्रं | kṣātraṃ | [term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com... |
| कर्म | karma | [term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com... |
| स्वभावजम् | svabhāvajam | [term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com... |
| ४३ | svabhāvajam | [term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com... |
courage
competence
[term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com...
[term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com...
[term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com...
[term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com...
[term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com...
[term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com...
[term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com...
[term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com...
[term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com...
[term] in context of Courage, vigor, fortitude, com...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The warrior-leader description balances strength with competence and generosity. Its battlefield setting is not a general invitation to violence.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"How can courage serve protection rather than domination?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can courage serve protection rather than domination?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to achieve purposeful living: execute your daily duties with full craftsmanship and honesty, release obsessive ego over results, and ground your spirit in timeless devotion, knowing that where righteous effort joins higher wisdom, victory is assured.