Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 31

English Translation

Even considering your own duty you should not waver, since there is nothing else better for a Ksatriya than a righteous battle.

Detailed Commentary

2.31. Commentary -- [In the first two verses, the benefits of engaging in war are described.] 'SvadharmaM api cAvekSya na vikampitum arhasi' (Even considering your *Svadharma*, you should not waver) -- This [the self] is indeed a fragment of the Supreme Being. When it identifies with the body, then 'self' refers to whatever one identifies oneself to be, and its duty is called *Svadharma*. For instance, if someone considers themselves a Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, or Shudra, then performing duties according to their *varna* is their *Svadharma*. If someone considers themselves a teacher or a servant, then performing the duties of a teacher or a servant is their *Svadharma*. If someone considers themselves a father or a son, then performing duties towards the son or father is their *Svadharma*. Here, the duty of a Kshatriya is called *dharma*. The primary duty of a Kshatriya is not to turn away from war. Arjuna is a Kshatriya; therefore, fighting is his *Svadharma*. This is why the Lord says that even if your *Svadharma* is considered, according to *Kshatra-dharma*, fighting is your duty. You should never turn away from your duty. 'DharmyAddhi yuddhAcchreyo 'nyat kSatriyasya na vidyate' (Indeed, for a Kshatriya, there is no greater good than a righteous war) -- For a Kshatriya, there is no other action more conducive to welfare than a war fought righteously; meaning, for a Kshatriya, performing the duties of a Kshatriya is the primary task. [Similarly, for Brahmanas, Vaishyas, and Shudras too, there is no other action more conducive to welfare than performing their respective duties.] In the seventh verse, Arjuna had prayed, "Please tell me what is definitively beneficial for me (*Shreya*)." In response to that, the Lord says that *Shreya* (welfare, ultimate good) will only come from observing one's *dharma*. From no perspective is abandoning one's *dharma* conducive to welfare. Therefore, you should not turn away from your *dharma* in the form of war.