What is Kshatra?

I asked, "Swami, I have one question.  What is kshatra?"

 This is a Sanskrit word but we understand it in English as meaning "courage".  I asked Swami this question because He is known for giving us new definitions and new interpretations.

"Yes," Swami turned back and with a smile, said, "The valour and courage that always stand by morality, character and integrity is called kshatra."

We should understand, my friends, that to kill another man may be an act of courage but is not kshatra.  Do you understand?  To beat a person may be an act of courage but it is not kshatra.  To maintain your character, to be ready to die and to fight to keep your character, that is kshatra.  That was the definition given by Bhagawan.

Society today has to recognize that such kshatra, righteous anger, is required when we fight agitations and disturbances.  Arson and violence are everywhere, but in no sense can we call them courage.  Those actions are all rowdiness, restlessness and lawlessness.  What we need today is bravery - bravery, valour and righteous anger.

(Prof. K. Anil Kumar's Talk Feb.2001 published in March 2001 Telugu Sanathana Sarathi)