Devanagari
जीवता ब्राह्मणार्थाय को न्वर्थ: क्षत्रबन्धुना ।
देहेन पतमानेन नेहता विपुलं यश: ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
jīvatā brāhmaṇārthāya
ko nv arthaḥ kṣatra-bandhunā
dehena patamānena
nehatā vipulaṁ yaśaḥ
Synonyms
jīvatā
—
who is alive
;
brāhmaṇa
—
arthāya — for the benefit of brāhmaṇas
;
kaḥ
—
what
;
nu
—
at all
;
arthaḥ
—
use
;
kṣatra
—
bandhunā — with a fallen kṣatriya
;
dehena
—
by his body
;
patamānena
—
about to fall
;
na īhatā
—
who is not endeavoring
;
vipulam
—
for extensive
;
yaśaḥ
—
glory .
Translation
What is the use of an unqualified kṣatriya who goes on living but fails to gain everlasting glory by working with his perishable body for the benefit of brāhmaṇas?
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
What is the use of an unqualified kṣatriya who goes on living but fails to gain everlasting glory by working with his perishable body for the benefit of brāhmaṇas?
KB 10.72.26
“It is my strong determination,” thought Jarāsandha, “that if I can achieve immortal reputation by sacrificing this perishable body, I must act for that purpose; the life of a kṣatriya who does not live for the benefit of the brāhmaṇas is certainly condemned.”
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
What is the use of a low ksatriya living who does not desire fame of giving to brahmanas with his perishable (patamanena) body. There is no use for him.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
“They will ask for your life, not your kingdom.” This body can become successful by fate. If we do not use it properly it is useless. I should use this body for benefiting brāhmaṇas even if they have come only in the dress of brāhmaṇas. What is the use of living as a person born in a kṣatriya family (kṣastriya-bandhunā) who does not endeavor for fame using this temporary body, for serving brāhmaṇas? Or kṣatriya-bandhunā can mean “by a kṣatriya fallen because of not serving brāhmaṇas.”