Kshatriya

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkʃat.ɹi.É™/

Alternative forms

• ká¹£atriya

Origin

From Hindi क्षत्रिय (kṣatriya, "protector of gentle people"), from Sanskrit क्षत्र (kṣatrá, "rule, dominion, authority"). Akin to satrap.

Full definition of kshatriya

Noun

1. The second-highest of the four castes or varnas in traditional Indian society: the warrior or military caste.
2. A member of this caste.
• 2006, Karen Armstrong, The Great Transformation, Atlantic Books 2007, p. 307:The kshatriya could only hope to become a monk in his next life, but given the nature of his daily karma, it seemed unlikely that he could achieve even this limited goal.
• "Bá¹›hannaḍā said, 'It is not the habit of a ká¹£atriya to flee like this; death in battle is preferable to flight in fear.'" (Mahābhārata: "Virāṭa Parva")