The Kshatriya

Kshatriya (Sanskrit: क्षत्रय, romanized: Kṣatriya) (from Sanskrit kṣatra, "rule, authority"; also called Rajanya)[1] is one of the four varnas (social orders) of Hindu society and is associated with the warrior aristocracy.[2] The Sanskrit term kṣatriyaḥ is used in the context of later Vedic society wherein members were organised into four classes: brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, and shudra.[3]

Although the Purusha Sukta uses the term rajanya, not Kshatriya, it is considered the first instance in the extant Vedic texts where four social classes are mentioned for the first time together.[10] Usage of the term Rajanya possibly indicates the 'kinsmen of the Rajan' (i.e., kinsmen of the ruler) had emerged as a distinct social group then,[10] such that by the end of the Vedic period, the term rajanya was replaced by Kshatriya; where rajanya stresses kinship with the Rajan and Kshatriya denotes power over a specific domain.[10] The term rajanya unlike the word Kshatriya essentially denoted the status within a lineage. Whereas Kshatra, means "ruling; one of the ruling order".[11]Jaiswal points out the term Brahman rarely occurs in the Rig-veda with the exception of the Purusha Sukta and may not have been used for the priestly class.[10] Based on the authority of Pāṇini, Patanjali, Kātyāyana and the Mahabharata, Jayaswal believes that Rajanya was the name of political people and that the Rajanyas were, therefore, a democracy (with an elected ruler).[12] Some examples were the Andhaka and Vrsni Rajanyas who followed the system of elected rulers.[10] Ram Sharan Sharma details how the central chief was elected by various clan chiefs or lineage chiefs with increasing polarisation between the rajanya (aristocracy helping the ruler) and the vis (peasants) leading to a distinction between the chiefs as a separate class (raja, rajanya, kshatra, kshatriya) on one hand and vis (clan peasantry) on the other hand.[13]

The Kshatriya

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The term kshatriya comes from kshatra and implies temporal authority and power which was based less on being a successful leader in battle and more on the tangible power of laying claim to sovereignty over a territory, and symbolising ownership over clan lands. This later gave rise to the idea of kingship.[14]

After the Mahajanapada period, most of the prominent royal dynasties in northern India were not kshatriyas. The Nanda Empire, whose rulers were stated to be shudras, destroyed many kshatriya lineages.[22]

In the third to fourth centuries CE, kingdoms in the Krishna and Godavari rivers claimed kshatriya status and performed Vedic rituals to legitimate themselves as rulers.[25] During his visit to India in 7th century, Hieun Tsang noted that kshatriya rulers were ruling the kingdoms like Kabul,[26] Kosala,[27] Bhillamala,[28] Maharashtra[29] and Vallabhi.[30]

In the era from 300 to 700 CE, new royal dynasties were bestowed kshatriya status by Brahmins by linking them to the kshatriyas of the epics and Puranas. Dynasties began affiliating themselves with the Solar and Lunar dynasties and this gave them legitimation as rulers. In return the newly christened kshatriyas would patronize and reward the Brahmins. The Sanskritic culture of the kshatriyas of this period was heavily influential for later periods and set the style that kshatriyas of later periods appealed to. This process took place both in North India and the Deccan.[31]

In rituals, the nyagrodha (Ficus indica or India fig or banyan tree) danda, or staff, is assigned to the kshatriya class, along with a mantra, intended to impart physical vitality or 'ojas'.[33]

The Vedas do not mention kshatriya (or varna) of any vamsha (lineage). The lineages of the Itihasa-Purana tradition[34] are: the Solar dynasty (Suryavamsha);[34] and the Lunar dynasty (Chandravamsha/Somavamsha).[34]

Representing the third Hindu caste or varna in the ancient system, kshatriyas are motivated by dharma, or right action. In life, kshatriyas exercise self-discipline in order to work for God and other beings. (2) The kshatriya understands by inner feeling instead of outer precept, and he regards happiness and self-fulfillment as states of mind. Instead of accumulating mere things, the kshatriya works to expand his own awareness and identity in order to serve others. (3) The other castes of sudras (peasants), vaishyas (merchants), and brahmins (priests) represent progressively higher levels of spiritual consciousness. (1)

Kshatriyas are willing to devote themselves to God. As a strong-willed devotee, the kshatriya does not think in terms of rewards but rather surrenders everything including his life and ego to the divine in his struggle for self-conquest.

Traditionally, kshatriyas are designated to serve society through their administrative, executive, and protective qualities. The natural duties of kshatriyas are to valor, vigor, resourcefulness, fortitude, skill, courage, munificence, and inspirational leadership. (4) Nevertheless, kshatriyas have not yet realized that serving people outwardly is not as fulfilling to them or himself as serving their inner happiness. (3)

Members of the caste are associated with the roles of rulers and warriors. (5) Although some aristocrats may be less than noble in nature, and some warriors may act with cruelty, true members of the caste serve to uplift others. Accordingly, kshatriyas may also take the form of monks or householders who stand up for what they believe and lead others toward victory. (4) The constitution of kshatriyas is marked by the predominance of rajas and sattva gunas; rajas is the principle of activity or energy, while sattva is the principle of enlightenment. (5)

KshatriyasAvailabilityIntroduced in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dynasties of IndiaCivilization GurjarasAge Castle AgePronunciation :Pronounce_kshatriya.ogg k'sha-tree-yuhResearchResearched at CastleFood500Gold450Research time45 secondsEffectMilitary units cost -25% foodKshatriyas is a technology in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dynasties of India that is unique to the Gurjaras and available at the Castle once the Castle Age is reached. Once researched, it reduces the Food cost of military units by 25%.

Kshatriya (sanskrit; av kshatra, styre, autoritet) er i hinduismen tittelen på en varna (klasse). På sanskrit brukes benevnelsen i sammenheng med det vediske samfunn hvor medlemmer organiserte seg i fire klasser: bramin, kshatrya, vaishya og shudra.[1] I tradisjonell forstand utgjorde kshatriya den styrende og millitære elite. Deres rolle var å beskytte samfunnet ved å kjempe I krigstid og regjere i fredstid. Et derivat av begrepet på prakrit er Khatri.[2]

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