Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c17.14

c17.14

Regarding the duties of the Kshatriya, it is laid down that he "should give but not beg; should himself celebrate sacrifices but not officiate as a priest in the sacrifices of others; should never teach the Veda but study the same with a Brāhmaṇa teacher (*dadyāt na yācheta; yajeta na yājayet; nādhyāpayedadhyīyīta*); should protect his people, being always ready to kill robbers and show his mettle in battle; for there is no higher duty of a Kshatriya than checking the wicked. While gifts, study, and sacrifices bring him prosperity, the Kshatriya who wishes for spiritual merit can realize it only by doing his duties as a warrior (rājñā viśeshena yoddhavyaṁ dharmamīpsatā). No true Kshatriya should leave a battle unscathed. The proper duty of a king is to defend his people and keep them to their duties and when that is done, it does not matter if he does anything else or not. The best of kings is distinguished by three attributes, viz. performance of sacrifices, knowledge of the Vedas, and victory in wars.