Kshatriya, Ksatriya, Kṣatriya, Kṣatriyā: 35 definitions

Introduction:

Kshatriya means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit terms Kṣatriya and Kṣatriyā can be transliterated into English as Ksatriya or Kshatriya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Kshatriy.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—The Kṣatriyas should always be represented by a reddish yellow (gaura) color when painting the limbs (aṅgaracanā), according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 23. The painting is a component of nepathya (costumes and make-up) and is to be done in accordance with the science of āhāryābhinaya (extraneous representation).

Source: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)

One of the Hands denoting the Four Castes.—Kṣattriya (Kṣatriya): Śikhara with the left hand moved to and fro, Patāka with the right.

Natyashastra book cover
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Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

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Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

The kṣatriyas, or the ruling class, must govern the world in accordance with the rules and regulations enacted by great brāhmaṇas and saintly persons. As soon as the ruling class becomes irresponsible in regard to the religious principles, it becomes a burden on the earth.

Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—Third of the four orders of the varṇāśrama system. A warrior who is inclined to fight and lead others. The administrative or protective occupation according to the system of four social and spiritual orders.

Source: Prabhupada Books: Sri Caitanya Caritamrta

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—Those who are naturally very heroic and who tend to rule over others are called kṣatriyas. The divisions of brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra are natural divisions within society. Indeed, everyone has a prescribed duty according to the varṇāśrama-dharma. Those who properly execute their prescribed duties live peacefully and are not disturbed by material conditions.

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) refers to “one of the four varṇas in the varṇāśrama system, which refers to an administrator or a warrior. Literally, kṣi–‘destruction’, tṛ–‘deliverance’”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhajana-rahasya - 2nd Edition

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) refers to:—The second of the four castes (varṇas) in the varṇāśrama system; an administrator or warrior. (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).

Vaishnavism book cover
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Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Kshatriya in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—See under Cāturvarṇya.

Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) is the name of a caste (varṇa) mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—The Kṣatriyas They are described as skilled in the use of all sorts of weapons. As regards their status in society, their mention after the Brāhmaṇas indicates their social status in accordance with the vārtika on Pāṇini’s Aṣṭādhyāyī, II.2.34, which lays down the rule that the castes should be mentioned in the order of status, the highest one to come first and the lowest one last.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—The fourth Manu.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 26. 35.

1b) Created out of the breast of Brahmā;1 the Aīndrasthānam.2 Distinctive traits;3 protection and other duties;4 definition of;5 destroyed by Kalki.6 and by Mahāpadmananda.7 seven clans distinguished; become Brahmanas by dāna, yajña and tapas.8 Their Pitṛs are Haviṣmantas; observe pollution for 12 days for father's death; pray to Devi;9 can take to Vaiśyakarma and not to Śūdrakarma.10

  • 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 5. 108; Vāyu-purāṇa 30. 83, 232; 45. 117; 54. 111; 57. 52; 100. 246; 101. 5, 352. 104. 13; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 6. 6.
  • 2) Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 6. 34.
  • 3) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VII. 11. 14-15, 17 and 22.
  • 4) X. 24. 20; Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 8. 26-29.
  • 5) Bhāgavata-purāṇa XI. 17. 17.
  • 6) Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 40. 22.
  • 7) Ib. XII. 1. 8.
  • 8) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 291. 55; III. 10. 89; 28. 56; 63. 141; 66. 77; 71. 231.
  • 9) Matsya-purāṇa 13. 63; 15. 17; 18. 2.
  • 10) Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 8. 39.
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.60.47) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Kṣatriya) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Purana book cover
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The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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Ayurveda (science of life)

[«previous next»] — Kshatriya in Ayurveda glossary
Source: Ancient Science of Life: Snake bite treatment in Prayoga samuccayam

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) or Kṣatrīyakula refers to the “warrior-family of snakes”, according to the 20th century Prayogasamuccaya (one of the most popular and widely practised book in toxicology in Malayalam).—[...] The specific distinguishing features, diet, place of dwelling, time of travel, direction of vision of each family are explained in detail. For example, main food of kṣatriya-kula (“warrior” family) snakes will be rat, water and snow. They travel during noon time, reside in big buildings, walls, holy trees etc. The author also opines that they stay usually in the Valmīka (anthill) and will come out attracted to the smell of first rain.

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Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

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Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study (dharma)

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) refers to one of the “four castes” (varṇa) of ancient India, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—In ancient India the society was divided into four principal castes, namely Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya and Śūdra; and the dharmaśāstras employ the term varṇa to designate these castes.—The first three varṇas [viz.
Kṣatriya], who had the right to perform the upanayana and to study the Vedas, were called dvijas (twice-born).

Dharmashastra book cover
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Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Kshatriya in Shaivism glossary
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) is the name of a Caste considered of equal nature as any other caste, according to the Svacchanda-tantra.—Accordingly, [verse 4.539c-545]—“O fair-faced one, all those who have been initiated by this ritual are of equal nature, whether they be Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, Śūdras, or others [of lower castes]. [For] they have been brought into a state of fusion with the nature of Śiva. All are said to be [Śivas,] wearers of [his] braids, their bodies dusted [like his] with ash. All Samayins should sit in a single row. Putrakas, Sādhakas, and Cumbakas [Ācāryas] should do the same. They may not sit according to the divisions of their former castes [e.g., Kṣatriyas]. [For] they are said to form but a single caste of Bhairava, auspicious and eternal. [...]”.

Shaivism book cover
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Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

[«previous next»] — Kshatriya in Hinduism glossary
Source: Apam Napat: Indian Mythology

Kshatriyas are the kings and warriors in the Varna system. They come next after the Brahmanas in the ranking of the castes.

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Kshatriya (क्षत्रिय): One of the four fundamental colours (Varnas) in Hindu tradition, consisting of the warriors, soldiers and rulers of society.

Source: JatLand: South Asia

Kshatriya (Hindi: क्षत्रिय, kṣatriya from Sanskrit: क्षत्र, kṣatra) is the title of the princely military order in the Vedic society. They are the warrior and ruling caste in the varna system. The word means the protector of land. They are supposed to uphold the code of honour, bravery and loyalty. Everyone in the military and governing hierarchy from king to village chief and from general to foot-soldier is a kshatriya. In ancient Hindu society, a person's aptitude ('guna'), conduct ('karma') and nature ('swabhava') were considered to assign his occupation. In the early Vedic civilization, the warrior caste was called Rājanya & Kshatriya. The former was an adjectival form of Rājan "ruler, king" from a root Rāj "to rule", cognate to the Latin Rex "king" and the German Reich "empire".

Source: India Facts: Exploring the World of Varna

A kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) is a person with natural aptitude for protecting others, warfare, governance, politics, administration, and management.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Kshatriya in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) refers to “kings and great ministers” and represents one of the seven destination of rebirths in kāmadhātu, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XLIX.—Accordingly, “someone gives with a perfect intention and maintains morality: he is reborn in the families of the Kṣatriyas. The Kṣatriyas are the kings (rājan) and great ministers (mahāmātya)”.

Source: archive.org: Bulletin of the French School of the Far East (volume 5)

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) (in Chinese: Ts'a-li) is the name of an ancient kingdom associated with Abhijit or Abhijinnakṣatra, as mentioned in chapter 18 of the Candragarbha: the 55th section of the Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra, a large compilation of Sūtras (texts) in Mahāyāna Buddhism partly available in Sanskrit, Tibetan and Chinese.—Chapter 18 deals with geographical astrology and, in conversation with Brahmarāja and others, Buddha explains how he entrusts the Nakṣatras [e.g., Abhijit] with a group of kingdoms [e.g., Kṣatriya] for the sake of protection and prosperity.

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Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

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General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Kshatriya in Buddhism glossary
Source: Google Books: Divine Stories: Divyavadana

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—One of the four hereditary classes (varṇa) according to Brahmanical Hinduism (i.e., brahman, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra) whose duties include maintainig order and inflicting punishment.

Source: Buddhist Door: Glossary

Ksatriya in Sanskrit, Khattiya in Pali. The second of the four Indian Castes at the time of Shakyamuni, they were the royal caste, the noble landlord, the warriors and the ruling castes.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Kshatriya in Jainism glossary
Source: HereNow4u: Tīrthaṅkara (ford maker) and Kevalīs (omniscient)

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—Propagation of non-violence (ahiṃsā) by a person like a Brahmin is not effective as he lacks bravery. But when a brilliant person from the Kṣatriyas courageously gives up weapons and warfare and royal grandeur and talks of ahiṃsā, certainly it has an impact. The Brahmin’s propagation of religion is akin to the compassion of a weak shall not impact common people. This is the reason for the Jain religion – being removed from casteism – believes Tīrthaṅkara to have been born into the Kṣatriya caste. From Lord Vṛṣabhanātha to Lord Mahāvīra, all the Tīrthaṅkara born into the spotless firmament of the Kṣatriya caste, continuously spread unblemished light across the world and acquired the strength towards liberation cutting through the toughest of karmas.

General definition book cover
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Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

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India history and geography

Source: What is India: Inscriptions of the Śilāhāras

Kṣatriya refers to the “protectors of the realm”.—The Śilāhāras called themselves Kṣatriyas. As the Yājñavalkya-smṛti has stated, the primary duty of a Kṣatriya i.e. a ruler is the protection of his subjects. The Smṛti says further that the king receives one-sixth of the religious merit of his subjects if he protects them properly. If he fails in this duty and the subjects act irreligiously, he incurs half of the sins committed by them.

India history book cover
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The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

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Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Kshatriya in Marathi glossary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—m (S) pop. kṣatrī m The second of the four great classes of the Hindu people, or an individual of it, a Kshatriya. 2 This word is prefixed to certain words signifying things of which there are varieties, in order to designate the variety of the second grade. As prefixed to hirā, bhāṅga, sabajī, pimpaḷa &c., it expresses A diamond of inferior lustre, bhang &c. of the second quality.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—m The second of the 4 great classes of the Hindus.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

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Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Kshatriya in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—[kṣatre rāṣṭre sādhu tasyāpatyaṃ jātau vā ghaḥ Tv.]

1) A member of the military or second caste; धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत् क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते (dharmyāddhi yuddhācchreyo'nyat kṣatriyasya na vidyate) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 2.31. ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यस्त्रयो वर्णा द्विजातयः (brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyastrayo varṇā dvijātayaḥ) Manusmṛti 1.4. The Mahābhārata (Śāntiparvan) says: ब्राह्मणानां क्षतत्राणात्ततः क्षत्रिय उच्यते (brāhmaṇānāṃ kṣatatrāṇāttataḥ kṣatriya ucyate) |

2) A kind of horse; क्षत्रिया वह्निसंभवाः (kṣatriyā vahnisaṃbhavāḥ) Śālihotra, Appendix II,14.

-yam The rank or power of the Kṣatriya class; Ṛgveda 4.12.3.

Derivable forms: kṣatriyaḥ (क्षत्रियः).

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Kṣatriyā (क्षत्रिया).—A woman of the Kṣatriya caste; Mahābhārata (Bombay) 1.2.318.

See also (synonyms): kṣatriyakā, kṣatriyikā.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—i. e. kṣatra + iya, I. m. A man of the military caste, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 10, 4. Ii. f. , A woman of the military caste, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 3, 44.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय).—[adjective] reigning, supreme. [masculine] member of the princely (second) caste ([feminine] ā); [neuter] supremacy, dominion.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय):—[from kṣatra] mfn. ([Pāṇini 4-1, 38]; [gana] śreṇyādi) governing, endowed with sovereignty, [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda iv, 22, 1; Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā; Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa ii]

2) [v.s. ...] m. a member of the military or reigning order (which in later times constituted the second caste), [Atharva-veda; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Aitareya-brāhmaṇa; Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra; Manu-smṛti] etc.

3) [v.s. ...] m. (ifc. f(ā). ), [Mahābhārata]

4) [v.s. ...] m. Name of a Daśa-pūrvin, [Jaina literature]

5) [v.s. ...] a red horse, [Demetrius Galanos’s Lexiko: sanskritikes, anglikes, hellenikes]

6) [v.s. ...] Name of a people, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā xiv, 28]

7) Kṣatriyā (क्षत्रिया):—[from kṣatriya > kṣatra] f. ([Pāṇini 4-1, 49], [vArttika] 7) a woman of the military or second caste, [Manu-smṛti; Yājñavalkya; Mahābhārata] (e.g. kṣ te, your wife that belongs to the second caste)

8) [v.s. ...] Name of Durgā, [Harivaṃśa 3290]

9) Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय):—[from kṣatra] n. the power or rank of the sovereign, [Ṛg-veda iv, 12, 3; v, 69, 1; vii, 104, 13; Atharva-veda vi, 76, 3.]

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Khattia.

[Sanskrit to German]

Kshatriya in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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Hindi dictionary

[«previous next»] — Kshatriya in Hindi glossary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Kṣatriya (क्षत्रिय) [Also spelled kshatriy]:—(nm) the second i.e. the warrior or the regal caste in the traditional Hindu caste-hierarchy; ~[tva] the attribute of the kshattriy caste, heroism.

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Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Kshatriya in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Kṣatriya (ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯ):—

1) [noun] one of the four major social class in ancient India, whose main occupation was military service or ruling a state.

2) [noun] a man belonging to this class.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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