In Bhagavad Gita 2.31, Krishna asks Arjuna to consider his own dharma as a warrior, for nothing is better for a kshatriya than a righteous war.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य
न विकम्पितुमर्हसि
धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्
क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते ॥ २-३१ ॥
svadharmamapi cāvekṣya
na vikampitumarhasi
dharmyāddhi yuddhācchreyo’nyat
kṣatriyasya na vidyate
English transliteration svadharmamapi chaavekshya
na vikampitumarhasi
dharmyaaddhi yuddhaachchhreyo’nyat
kshatriyasya na vidyate ॥ 2.31 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Considering also your own duty, you should not waver. For a kshatriya there is nothing better than a war fought for righteousness.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| स्वधर्मम् svadharmam | one’s own duty sva (own) + dharmam (duty) |
| अपि api | also |
| च ca | and |
| अवेक्ष्य avekṣya | considering |
| न na | not |
| विकम्पितुम् vikampitum | to waver |
| अर्हसि arhasi | you ought |
| धर्म्यात् dharmyāt | righteous |
| हि hi | indeed |
| युद्धात् yuddhāt | than a war |
| श्रेयः śreyaḥ | better |
| अन्यत् anyat | other |
| क्षत्रियस्य kṣatriyasya | for a kṣatriya |
| न na | not |
| विद्यते vidyate | exists |
Word-wise Chanting
- sva–dhar–ma–ma–pi cā–vekṣ–ya 8 syllables sva-dhar-ma-ma-pi chaa-veksh-ya
- na vi–kam–pi–tu–mar–ha–si | 8 syllables na vi-kam-pi-tu-mar-ha-si
- dhar–myād–dhi yud–dhāc–chre–yo–‘nyat– 8 syllables dhar-myaad-dhi yud-dhaach-chhre-yo-‘nyat-
- kṣat–ri–yas–ya na vid–ya–te || 2-31 8 syllables kshat-ri-yas-ya na vid-ya-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 2 Verse 31
Context
Having taught the eternity of the Self (2.11–2.30), Krishna now turns to Arjuna’s duty as a warrior (2.31–2.38).
Meaning
Krishna introduces the idea of svadharma, one’s own duty according to one’s nature and position. Arjuna is a kṣatriya, a protector of society, whose role is to defend justice. The war against the Kauravas is dharmya, righteous, because all peaceful means have been exhausted. Withdrawal would be a failure of his responsibility.
Every person has a svadharma, a way of serving that fits their nature and situation. The Gita teaches that fulfilling it sincerely is better than imitating another’s path (3.35). For most people today, the “battle” is the work, care and responsibility that life has placed before them. Wavering in front of that duty helps no one.
In Practice
Name your svadharma in this season of life: the responsibility only you can fulfil. Give it your wholehearted effort today.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.