Bhagavad Gita · Sankhya YogaChapter 2, Shloka 31 (2.31)
Original Sanskrit · श्रीभगवान्
स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि
धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत् क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते
॥ 2.31 ॥
svadharmamapi cāvekṣya na vikampitumarhasi
dharmyāddhi yuddhācchreyo'nyat kṣatriyasya na vidyate
Translation
"Even considering your own svadharma, you should not waver; for to a kshatriya there is nothing more beneficial than a righteous war."
Interpretation
Svadharma — for the first time. Sva (one's own) + dharma — one's own duty, connected to one's role and nature. For Arjuna — as a kshatriya — a righteous war to protect against injustice.
"Dharmya yuddha" — a war in keeping with dharma. Shankaracharya: this war is for dharma and for the protection of the people, so it is dharma se anapeta — not apart from dharma, "supremely righteous". That is, the Gita is not speaking of every war — but of a dharmya war, one waged after efforts for peace, against injustice, for the protection of the people.
"Na vikampitum arhasi" — do not waver. Arjuna's body was trembling (1.29). Krishna says — from the point of view of duty there is no reason to waver.
Ramanuja: Ramanuja quotes 18.43 — the natural duties of a kshatriya: heroism, vigour, fortitude, skill, not fleeing from battle, generosity, and lordliness (leadership).
AI-assisted draft translation — under review.