Thus, O Yudhishthira, the energy and might of Kshatriya, however great and irresistible be, are destroyed as soon as they are directed against the Brahmanas. When the power of the Brahmanas becomes mild, when that of the Kshatriyas is weakened, when all men ill-treat the Brahmanas, those strong-minded persons, who moved by righteous indignation, then fight, casting off all fear of death, for protecting the Brahmanas. morality, and their own selves,-succeed in winning high regions of bliss hereafter. All persons should fight for the sake of Brahmanas.
तस्माद् ब्रह्मणि शाम्यन्ति क्षत्रियाणां युधिष्ठिर। समुदीर्णान्यजेयानि तेजांसि च बलानि च॥ ब्रह्मवीर्ये मृदुभूते क्षत्रवीर्ये च दुर्बले। दुष्टेषु सर्ववर्णेषु ब्राह्मणान् प्रति सर्वशः॥ ये तत्र युद्ध कुर्वन्ति त्यक्त्वा जीवितमात्मनः। ब्राह्मणान् परिरक्षन्तो धर्मामात्मानमेव च॥ मनस्विनो मन्युमन्तः पुण्य श्लोका भवन्ति ते। ब्राह्मणार्थं हि सर्वेषां शस्त्रग्रहणमिष्यते॥