Kshatriyas are one of the four main classes in society. Generally ranked second in importance, they are warriors, and their dharma involves performing valiantly on the battlefield.
Kshatriya Quotes in Mahabharata
The Mahabharata quotes below are all either spoken by Kshatriya or refer to Kshatriya. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 1. Beginnings
Quotes
Ugraśravas the Suta, teller of ancient tales, son of Lomaharshana the Suta, once approached the Brahmin seers assembled in the Naimisha forest to attend the twelve-year sacrifice of Śaunaka their chief, bowing politely to those keepers of keen vows.
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12. Tranquility
Quotes
Bhishma agrees to expound his knowledge, but insists that it must be Yudhishthira who questions him. Krishna explains that Yudhishthira is filled with shame and fears Bhishma’s curse, but Bhishma insists that the killing even of relatives and elders is in accord with the Kshatriya dharma.
Get the entire Mahabharata LitChart as a printable PDF.
Kshatriya Term Timeline in Mahabharata
The timeline below shows where the term Kshatriya appears in Mahabharata. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1. Beginnings
...agrees to tell him. He tells the story of Rama Jamadagnya who annihilated all the Kshatriya warriors on earth 21 times. The surviving Kshatriya women went to see the Brahmins, who...
(full context)
These demons oppressed all classes: Brahmins, Kshatriya, Vaiśyas, and Sudras. Troubled by the demons, Earth sought out Lord Brahma, creator of worlds,...
(full context)
...when he’s out hunting and wants to marry her. The problem is that he’s a Kshatriya and she’s a Brahmin. Yayati gets permission from Śukra, on the condition that Yayati never...
(full context)
...Tapati and who has a famous rivalry with fellow seer Viśvamitra. Viśvamitra is originally a Kshatriya, but he lives an ascetic lifestyle to become a more powerful Brahmin like his rival...
(full context)
...where a young woman chooses a husband). Many have gathered to try to win a Kshatriya princess named Draupadi, with illustrious heroes and kings in the crowd. But there is a...
(full context)
At first the Kshatriya are angry that a Brahmin like Arjuna has won Draupadi, but he fights them off...
(full context)
Chapter 2. The Hall
...willing to sacrifice other kings because he is arrogant and views himself above all other Kshatriyas. Krishna finally reveals his identity, as well as the identities of Arjuna and Bhima. Jarasamdha...
(full context)
...to finally perform a royal consecration. Yudhishthira prepares a great feast, inviting illustrious Brahmins and Kshatriyas from across the land, then gives them lavish accommodations. Nakula invites Bhishma and Dhritarashtra, who...
(full context)
Chapter 3. The Forest
...Jamadagnya’s hermitage, wiping it out, and this led Rama Jamadagnya to declare war on all Kshatriya, leading him to wipe out their whole population on 21 separate occasions. After hearing this...
(full context)
Chapter 7. Drona
...saying that even if he dies in battle, that is the highest honor for a Kshatriya. Meanwhile, in his dreams, Arjuna receives a visit from Krishna who advises him to go...
(full context)
...he keeps his many enemies at bay. He uses his Brahmin power to kill 100,000 Kshatriyas. Dhrishtadyumna advances toward Drona undeterred. Drona hits him with several arrows. Just then, Bhima comes...
(full context)
Chapter 12. Tranquility
...classes is particularly important for Brahmins but can also be important for Sudras, Vaiśyas, and Kshatriyas. Because a king has so many subjects, he must understand all classes in society.
(full context)
Yudhishthira asks questions about the Kshatriya dharma, which seems evil to him due to the violence it requires, but Bhishma explains...
(full context)
Chapter 13. Instruction
Yudhishthira asks more about Brahmins. Bhishma explains how Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras can become Brahmins only through rebirth, and it is always difficult.
(full context)
...varies by class and how, for example, a Brahmin can have three wives but a Kshatriya only two. He also explains that only men can inherit wealth and how wealth inheritance...
(full context)
...Brahmin nonviolence is the highest dharma and that they should not eat meat; however, a Kshatriya might rightfully eat the meat obtained from hunting a wild animal.
(full context)
