kshatriya

English - English

Definition of kshatriya in English English dictionary

A member of this caste

The kshatriya could only hope to become a monk in his next life, but given the nature of his daily karma, it seemed unlikely that he could achieve even this limited goal.

The second-highest of the four castes or varnas in traditional Indian society: the warrior or military caste. (Plural: kshatriya.)

{i} Hindu caste which was originally a royal and warrior caste but now days is a caste of administrators or governing and military personnel

{i} member of a Kshatriya caste

or Ksatriya In Hindu India, the second-highest of the four varnas, or social classes, traditionally the military or ruling class. In ancient times before the caste system was completely defined, they were considered first in rank, placed higher than the Brahmans, or priestly class. The legend that they were degraded by an incarnation of Vishnu as a punishment for their tyranny may reflect a historical struggle for supremacy between priests and rulers. In modern times the Kshatriya varna includes members from a variety of castes, united by their status in government or the military or their land ownership

{s} of or pertaining to a Kshatriya caste

The second-highest of the four castes or varnas in traditional Indian society: the warrior or military caste

a member of the royal or warrior Hindu caste

The military caste, the second of the four great Hindoo castes; also, a member of that caste

Hyphenation

Kshat·ri·ya

Etymology

() From Hindi क्षत्रिय (kṣatriya, “protector of gentle people”), from Sanskrit क्षत्र (kṣatra, “rule, dominion, authority”). Related to satrap.