Shloka 31
कर्मयोग–ज्ञानयज्ञ–अवतारोपदेश
Karma-Yoga, Jñāna-Yajña, and Avatāra Instruction
सम्बन्ध-- यहाँतक भगवान्ने सांख्ययोगयके अनुसार अनेक युक्तियोंद्वारा नित्य शुद्ध. बुद्ध
svadharmam api cāvekṣya na vikampitum arhasi | dharmyād dhi yuddhāc chreyo 'nyat kṣatriyasya na vidyate ||
Sanjaya reports Krishna’s exhortation to Arjuna: even when you consider your own duty, you should not waver in fear. For a kshatriya, there is no higher good than a righteous battle—one undertaken in accordance with dharma. The ethical point is not a glorification of violence, but a call to steadfastness in one’s ordained responsibility when justice and social order are at stake.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should not succumb to fear or hesitation when one’s rightful duty (svadharma) calls—especially for a kshatriya whose role includes protecting justice and order. A dharmic battle, fought for righteousness rather than personal gain, is presented as the highest good available within that role.
Sanjaya narrates Krishna’s counsel to Arjuna on the battlefield: after addressing grief and metaphysical confusion, Krishna now appeals to Arjuna’s warrior duty, urging him not to waver and to engage in a righteous war as his proper responsibility.