Being a modern Kshatriya – protector of society, defender of justice

LIKE many young people, I’m trying to navigate today’s world while staying true to Hindu scriptural values. I’ve faced my own doubts and challenges, and that’s why I want to share lessons from our tradition that can help us today.

The challenge of balancing tradition and contemporary life may sound simple, but for many young people, it’s one of the hardest struggles they face. Tradition tells us who we are, where we come from, and what we must hold onto. Contemporary life, however, throws us into a world changing faster than we can keep up. It’s like trying to use a Nokia 3310 in the age of smartphones: the core function is the same, but the world around it has evolved.

To bridge that gap, I want to borrow an ancient word: Kshatriya.

In our tradition, a Kshatriya wasn’t just a soldier. They were protectors of society, defenders of justice, people who stood up against wrong even when it was hard. The Kshatriya spirit isn’t about carrying a sword. It’s about carrying courage. Take Lord Rama. He could have stayed in Ayodhya as a prince, surrounded by comfort. Instead, when exile came, he walked into the forest without hesitation. Why? Because duty came first.

Rama never said, “Why me? It’s unfair.”

He accepted what was right and lived it out. That’s his power: dignity in hardship.

Meanwhile, when the Wi-Fi goes down for 10 minutes, we panic. Think about it: when things don’t go our way, whether it’s failing a subject, missing a job, or facing rejection, we feel like giving up. Rama shows us that true strength isn’t avoiding pain; it’s facing it head-on, without bitterness.

Then there’s Arjuna. On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the greatest archer of his time dropped his bow. He froze, not because he was weak, but because he was human. He looked across the field, saw his teachers and cousins, and thought: “How can I fight them? What’s the point?”

We’ve all been in Arjuna’s shoes, facing choices that feel impossible. Do I follow family expectations or my own heart? Do I speak up for what’s right, even if it costs me? Krishna’s message to him was simple: do your duty, do what is right, and don’t let fear decide your actions. Courage doesn’t mean you feel no fear, it means moving forward despite it.

Our battlefield today may not be Kurukshetra, but we face our own wars: corruption, drugs, crime, peer pressure, and mental health struggles. The youth today are in a strange position. On the one hand, there are endless opportunities in technology, education, and social media. On the other hand, there are challenges no generation has faced before: the pressure to succeed instantly, the fear of missing out, and a world more uncertain than ever.

Like Arjuna, many of us stand at a crossroads. When life throws obstacles your way, whether rejection, failure, or heartbreak, it’s easy to feel like giving up. But remember, Arjuna almost walked away from the battlefield. Almost. What stopped him was guidance, clarity, and courage. The message is clear: doubt is normal, but it’s not your home. You can visit, but don’t live there.

So, how do we strike a balance between tradition and contemporary life?

- Know your Dharma: Understand your duty and purpose. If you don’t decide what you stand for, someone else will.

- Build discipline: Kshatriyas trained daily. Today, discipline means setting goals, working hard, and resisting distractions.

- Have courage to speak up: Whether against a bully, dishonesty, or harmful habits, courage is your weapon. Use it.

- Stay rooted: Embrace new technology and ideas, but never lose sight of values that ground you: honesty, respect, compassion, resilience.

We live in Kalyug, an age where it often feels like evil wins. And yes, sometimes it does. But history and scripture remind us: in the end, dharma always prevails.

Being a modern Kshatriya doesn’t mean you always win. It means you fight the good fight regardless, because if good people stay silent, darkness spreads. Remember, you are Arjuna when you feel lost and unsure. You are Rama when you choose duty over comfort. You are a Kshatriya every time you stand for what’s right in a world that tempts you to do what’s easy.

Courage, duty, and integrity are universal, and that’s why our scriptures don’t simply teach us how to be Hindu; they teach us how to be human. Balancing tradition and contemporary life is not about living in two separate worlds. It’s about bringing the timeless strength of our values into the fast, unpredictable world we live in. Remember, tradition gives us the roots, contemporary life gives us the tools; and together, they give us what we need to face today’s battles.

Shivash Haricharan is a town planning professional and a member of the Youth Committee of the SA Hindu Maha Sabha. He writes in his personal capacity. 

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. 

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