Word meanings
- swa-dharmam
- one’s duty in accordance with the Vedas
- api
- also
- ca
- and
- avekṣya
- considering
- na
- not
- vikampitum
- to waver
- arhasi
- should
- dharmyāt
- for righteousness
- hi
- indeed
- yuddhāt
- than fighting
- śreyaḥ
- better
- anyat
- another
- kṣatriyasya
- of a warrior
- na
- not
- vidyate
- exists
Translations
Further, having regard to your duty, you should not waver, for there is nothing higher for a Kshatriya than a righteous war.
You must look at your duty. Nothing can be more welcome to a soldier than a righteous war. Therefore, wavering in this resolve is unworthy, O Arjuna!
Even considering your own duty, you should not waver, since there is nothing better for a Ksatriya than a righteous battle.
अपने स्वधर्म (क्षात्रधर्म) को देखकर भी तुम्हें विकम्पित अर्थात् कर्तव्य-कर्मसे विचलित नहीं होना चाहिये; क्योंकि धर्ममय युद्धसे बढ़कर क्षत्रियके लिये दूसरा कोई कल्याणकारक कर्म नहीं है।Commentary
Lord Krishna now gives to Arjuna wordly reasons for fighting. Up to this time? He talked to Arjuna on the immortality of the Self and gave him philosophical reasons. Now He says to Arjuna? O Arjuna Fighting is a Kshatriyas own duty. You ought not to swerve from that duty. To a Kshatriyta (one born in the warrior or ruling class) nothing is more welcome than a righteous war. A warrior should fight.