Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 17

Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti

Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties

Devanagari script

तेजो बलं धृति: शौर्यं तितिक्षौदार्यमुद्यम: । स्थैर्यं ब्रह्मण्यमैश्वर्यं क्षत्रप्रकृतयस्त्विमा: ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

tejo balaṁ dhṛtiḥ śauryaṁ titikṣaudāryam udyamaḥ sthairyaṁ brahmanyam aiśvaryaṁ kṣatra-prakṛtayas tv imāḥ

Translation

Radiant power, bodily strength, determination, heroism, tolerance, generosity, great endeavor, steadiness, devotion to the brāhmaṇas, and leadership—these are the natural qualities of the kṣatriyas.

Synonyms

• तेजः: splendor, vigor
• तेजः: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; abstract noun

• बलम्: strength
• बलम्: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• धृतिः: steadfastness
• धृतिः: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• शौर्यम्: valor
• शौर्यम्: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• तितिक्षा: forbearance
• तितिक्षा: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तितिक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• औदार्यम्: generosity, magnanimity
• औदार्यम्: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: औदार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• उद्यमः: enterprise, effort
• उद्यमः: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उद्यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• स्थैर्यम्: stability, firmness
• स्थैर्यम्: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थैर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• ब्रह्मण्यम्: devotion to Brahmins / brahminical piety
• ब्रह्मण्यम्: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying trait)

• ऐश्वर्यम्: lordship, power
• ऐश्वर्यम्: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicate-nominative (विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐश्वर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• क्षत्र-प्रकृतयः: the qualities/natures of the Kshatriya
• क्षत्र-प्रकृतयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रकृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (genitive determinative): 'क्षत्रस्य प्रकृतयः'

• तु: indeed, but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), contrast/emphasis

• इमाः: these
• इमाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of 'प्रकृतयः'
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; demonstrative pronoun used adjectivally

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What are the qualities of a kṣatriya according to the Srimad Bhagavatam?

In 11.17.17, Kṛṣṇa lists radiance, strength, determination, valor, tolerance, generosity, initiative, steadiness, respect for brāhmaṇas/Vedic culture (brahmaṇya), and sovereign power as natural kṣatriya qualities.

Why does Kṛṣṇa describe varṇa qualities to Uddhava in Canto 11?

In the Uddhava-gītā section, Kṛṣṇa teaches Uddhava how dharma functions in society; by defining the innate qualities and duties of each varṇa, He shows how orderly life can support spiritual progress and devotion.

How can the kṣatriya qualities in Bhagavatam be applied in modern life?

Cultivate courage with self-control, practice tolerance under pressure, use strength to protect others, lead with generosity and stability, and uphold ethical/spiritual principles (brahmaṇya) rather than ego or domination.