Chapter XVIII · Śloka 43
शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् |
दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ||
दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ||
śauryaṃ tejo dhṛtir dākṣyaṃ yuddhe cāpy apalāyanam |
dānam īśvara-bhāvaś ca kṣātraṃ karma svabhāva-jam ||
dānam īśvara-bhāvaś ca kṣātraṃ karma svabhāva-jam ||
Valor, radiance, steadfastness, skill, not fleeing in battle, generosity, and a lordly nature — these are the duties of a kṣatriya, born of his own nature.
The kṣatriya's dharma is the outward expression of controlled power: not mere aggression but the disciplined exercise of strength in service of protection and order. Generosity and nobility of bearing are as essential to this nature as martial courage.