Courage (Shaurya) is a cardinal virtue in Hindu dharma. Arjuna's crisis and Krishna's response on the battlefield of Kurukshetra form the greatest teaching on courage ever recorded. These shlokas inspire us to face life's battles with the strength of dharma and the fearlessness of a true warrior.
01
क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते।
Klaibyam ma sma gamah partha naitat tvayyupapadyate
✦
Do not yield to unmanliness, O Arjuna. It does not befit you. Shake off this weakness of heart and arise!
Bhagavad Gita 2.3
02
हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम्।
Hato va prapsyasi svargam jitva va bhokshyase mahim
✦
If slain, you will attain heaven. If victorious, you will enjoy the earth. Therefore arise and fight, O Arjuna!
Bhagavad Gita 2.37
03
अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिः।
Abhayam sattva samshuddhih
✦
Fearlessness and purity of heart — these are the divine qualities. Courage is listed as the very first divine virtue by Lord Krishna.
Bhagavad Gita 16.1
04
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः।
Nainam chhindanti shastrani nainam dahati pavakah
✦
Weapons cannot cut the soul, fire cannot burn it. Knowing the eternal nature of the Self, what is there to fear?
Bhagavad Gita 2.23
05
धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः।
Dharmo rakshati rakshitah
✦
Dharma protects those who protect dharma. When you stand for what is right, the universe stands with you.
Mahabharata, Vana Parva
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