What does it mean to be a Kshatriya?
Kshatriya literally means “protector of gentle people”. Second in the social hierarchy of the caste system (see Varna), the Kshatriyas were kings and warriors. They were said to have evolved from the arms of Brahma, signifying that their role in society was the protection of people and livestock. The Hindus maintain that only a Kshatriya had the right to rule, though Brahmin rulers are not unknown. They were supposed to be brave and fearless, and to live and die by a code of honour and loyalty. They could eat meat and drink liquor and their most exalted death was to die in battle…….
