Shloka 4
क्षतत्राता क्षताज्जीवन क्षन्ता स्त्रीष्वपि साधुषु । क्षत्रिय: क्षितिमाप्रोति क्षिप्रं धर्म यश: श्रिय:,'परंतु जो क्षति (संकट)-से अपना तथा दूसरोंका त्राण करता है, युद्धमें शत्रुओंको क्षति पहुँचाना ही जिसकी जीविका है तथा जो स्त्रियों और साधु पुरुषोंपर क्षमाभाव रखता है, वही क्षत्रिय है और उसे ही शीघ्र इस पृथ्वीके राज्य, धर्म, यश और लक्ष्मीकी प्राप्ति होती है
sañjaya uvāca |
kṣatatrātā kṣatāj jīvan kṣantā strīṣv api sādhuṣu |
kṣatriyaḥ kṣitim āpnoti kṣipraṁ dharma yaśaḥ śriyaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “He is a true kṣatriya who rescues himself and others from peril, whose livelihood is to inflict harm upon enemies in battle, and who yet shows forbearance toward women and toward the virtuous. Such a man swiftly attains sovereignty over the earth, along with dharma, fame, and prosperity.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines kṣatriya-dharma as a balance: protect people from danger and confront enemies in battle, while maintaining restraint and forgiveness toward those who should not be harmed—especially women and the virtuous. Such disciplined power is said to yield legitimate sovereignty, righteousness, fame, and prosperity.
Sañjaya is describing to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the ideal qualities of a kṣatriya in the midst of the war narrative, framing martial action as duty-bound protection rather than mere violence, and linking ethical conduct to rightful kingship and honor.