Kshatriya

Kshatriya is one of the four Varnas as per Hindu way of life. Three others being - Brahmin, Vaishya, and Shudra. In hierarchy, though not supported by Hindu philosophy, Kshatriya is the second, just below Brahmin, and above Vaishya in the socio-religious order prevalent among the Hindus. Kshatriya is also a caste among Hindus, and there are also many sub-castes among Kshatriyas. In practice, the term Kshatriya is used both for the Varna and the caste, that has created great confusion in Hindu social, religious and philosophical orders.

In Srimad Bhagvadgita, Lord Krishna told Arjuna that the "four Varnas are created by me according to quality and work (karma)" (Chapter 4, Shloka 13). For a Kshatriya, there is nothing better than the war for Dharma. (Chapter 2. Shloka 31). Heroism, majesty, firmness, diligence, and dauntlessness in battle, bestowing gifts, and lordliness - all these constitute the natural duty of a Kshatriya. (Chapter 18. Shloka 43).

Since Srimad Bhagvad gita is a Yogashasthra (the treatise on Yoga) section of Bhrahmavidya (the treatise on God), as it is written at the end of every chapter of this scripture, the term Kshatriya adds some special layer of meaning, something esoteric that is conveyed by the guru to his shishya (student initiated in spiritual journey). Any other interpretation, may not reach the meaning that Srimad Bhagvad Gita has hinted at.

It should also be noted that Srimad Bhagvad Gita says "whatever is here is that (God)" at several places, and hence the traditional hierarchy can't be supported. If the same god is everywhere and in everyone, where is the question of high and low?

This philosophical point of view in Hinduism have given rise to other interpretations of the term, such as explanation as per Yogashashtra, which says a person in his spiritual journey has to rise from its lowest Shudra state, to Vaishya, Kshatriya, and Brahmin the highest stages. Four Varanas are therefore the part of the same individual according to the quality and karma.

The expressions like "Janmana Jayate Shudra, Sanskarat Dvija Uchchyate" (Everyone is a Shudra at birth, it is only after Sanskara one becomes Dvija) is found in several sacred Hindu texts including Atrismriti, and has been originally attributed to Manu, indicate a different layer of meaning to the term suggesting the Varna is based on quality and karma of an individual, at different stages of life.

Nearby pages
Kshatriya Kund Gram, Ksheerarama, Kuan Chung, Kuber, Kuber Nath Rai