Warriors, termed Kshatriyas in Sanskrit, were the earliest caste.

They imitated the warriors in forming a caste, which claimed descent from Brahma, the Creator's head, while Kshatriyas represented his arms, and the productive classes his less noble members.

After a prolonged struggle the Kshatriyas were fain to acknowledge their inferiority.

In Sanskrit this word means "Standing on the Body," whence Kayasths claim to be Kshatriyas.

It is obligatory on Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, except those that accept certain vows of great austerity.

It is through thy grace that the (three) orders of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas are able to perform their various duties and sacrifices.

Let no one amongst us be ever again born in the order of Kshatriyas.

Thou shalt also defeat all the Kshatriyas of fiery energy commanded by the son of Bharadwaja in battle.

Then Varuna, the lord of all aquatic creatures, blue as the clouds, from a summit he had occupied on the west, uttered these words, 'O son of Pritha, thou art the foremost of Kshatriyas, and engaged in Kshatriya practices.

When thou wilt armed with these, range over the field of battle, the land, beyond doubt, will be destitute of Kshatriyas.'

It is through thy grace, O mountain, that Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas attain heaven, and their anxieties gone, sport with the celestials.

Those illustrious persons among Brahmanas or Kshatriyas or Vaisyas or Sudras that bathe in Pushkara are freed from the obligation of rebirth.

There, O king, the heroic Rama of resplendent energy, exterminating the Kshatriyas by his might, dug five lakes and filled them, O tiger among men, with the blood of his victims, as heard by us.

Thou hast exterminated the Kshatriyas from wrath.

It was then that Rama of Bhrigu's line, the son of Richika by Renuka, hearing of Rama the son of Dasarathaof spotless deedswent to Ayodhya, impelled by curiosity, and taking with him that celestial bow so fatal to the Kshatriyas, for ascertaining the prowess of Dasaratha's son.

At this, Rama the son of Dasaratha, took in anger from the hands of Rama of Bhrigu's line that celestial bow that had dealt death to the foremost of Kshatriyas.

Through the Grandsire's grace thou hast obtained energy that is superior to that of the Kshatriyas.

Therefore, O bull among the Kshatriyas, leave to me this pigeon, whom Heaven hath today ordained for my food.

And descending from their cars, those bulls among Kshatriyas, the (royal) brothers, mace in hand, rushed furiously towards the cars of the foe.

Surely, this forebodes a great destruction of Kshatriyas in battle.

Things endued with light are all pale; beasts and birds look fierce; and there are to be witnessed many terrific portents indicative of the destruction of Kshatriyas.

And when the battle between Drona and Kiritin thus commenced, both of them discharging in the encounter arrows of blazing splendour, both well-known for their achievements, both equal to the wind itself in speed, both conversant with celestial weapons, and both endued with mighty energy, began shooting clouds of arrows to bewilder the royal Kshatriyas.

How also couldst thou, O child, encounter Drona, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, that preceptor of the Vrishnis and Kauravas, twice-born one who may be regarded as the preceptor of all the Kshatriyas?

At present the Bráhmans alone, and those who claim to be Kshatriyas, have a right to wear this thread.

In this way Brahma, the first incarnation of the universal spirit, had four sons, from whom issued the four castes of IndiaBrahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudrasall the rest being outcasts or pariahs.