Shloka 13
अदारा-नीति
Crisis Composure) and ‘Jaya’ Śravaṇa (Morale-Instruction
युद्धाय क्षत्रिय: सृष्ट: संजयेह जयाय च
yuddhāya kṣatriyaḥ sṛṣṭaḥ sañjayeha jayāya ca | sañjaya! asmin loke yuddha-vijayārthaṃ vidhātrā kṣatriyasya sṛṣṭiḥ kṛtā | sa jayaṃ prāpnotu vā yuddhe hataḥ syāt—sarvāsv api daśāsu tasya indraloka-prāptiḥ bhavati | puṇyamaye svargaloke indra-bhavane 'pi tat sukhaṃ na labhyate, yat kṣatriya-vīraḥ śatrūn vaśīkṛtya sānandam anubhavati ||
युद्धाय क्षत्रियः सृष्टः संजयेह जयाय च । संजय! इह लोके युद्धाय जयाय च विधात्रा क्षत्रियः सृष्टः। स जयमाप्नुयात् वा रणमध्ये निहन्येत, सर्वथैव इन्द्रलोकं प्राप्नोति; शत्रून् वशे कृत्वा यत् क्षत्रियवीरः सानन्दं सुखमश्नुते, तत् पुण्येऽपि शक्रभवने दिवि न विद्यते ।
पुत्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts kṣatriya-dharma: a warrior’s ordained role is to fight for righteous victory, and both outcomes—victory or death in battle—are framed as spiritually meritorious, promising heavenly attainment; it also elevates the distinctive joy of valor and subduing foes as surpassing even celestial pleasures.
A speaker identified as “the son” addresses Sañjaya, justifying the warrior vocation and encouraging a battle-oriented ethic: the kṣatriya is created for combat and conquest, and the consequences are portrayed as auspicious regardless of the battlefield outcome.