Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 2.31 स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि
श्लोक 2.31
स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि ।
धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते ॥
svadharmamapi cāvekṣya na vikampitumarhasi |
dharmyāddhi yuddhācchreyo'nyatkṣatriyasya na vidyate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
अपने स्वधर्म को देखकर भी तुम्हें डगमगाना नहीं चाहिए। क्षत्रिय के लिए धर्मयुद्ध से बढ़कर कल्याणकारी कुछ भी नहीं है।
Meaning in English
Considering also your own duty, you should not waver. For a kshatriya (warrior), there is nothing better than a righteous war.
Bhagavad Gita 2.31 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| स्व-धर्मम् अपि च | sva-dharmam api ca | and also your own duty |
| अवेक्ष्य | avekṣya | considering |
| न विकम्पितुम् अर्हसि | na vikampitum arhasi | you should not waver |
| धर्म्यात् हि युद्धात् | dharmyāt hi yuddhāt | than a righteous war indeed |
| श्रेयः अन्यत् | śreyaḥ anyat | any other good |
| क्षत्रियस्य | kṣatriyasya | for a kshatriya |
| न विद्यते | na vidyate | does not exist |
Explanation
Considering your own duty too, you should not waver; for a kshatriya there is nothing better than a righteous war.
Krishna now adds a second argument, from svadharma — one's own duty. Arjuna's duty as a warrior is to protect dharma; refusing it would be a failure, not a virtue.
भावार्थ
अपने स्वधर्म को देखकर भी तुम्हें विचलित नहीं होना चाहिए; क्योंकि क्षत्रिय के लिए धर्मयुक्त युद्ध से बढ़कर कोई कल्याणकारी कर्तव्य नहीं है।
Living it today
Ask what your role asks of you today — as parent, worker, citizen — and do it without wavering.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 2.31?
Considering your own duty too, you should not waver; for a kshatriya there is nothing better than a righteous war.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.31?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 2.31 in daily life?
Ask what your role asks of you today — as parent, worker, citizen — and do it without wavering.
Reflected on verse 2.31?
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