Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 43

शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् | दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ||

śauryaṁ tejo dhṛtir dākṣyaṁ yuddhe cāpy apalāyanam dānam īśvara-bhāvaś ca kṣātraṁ karma svabhāva-jam

Heroism, splendor, firmness, skill, not fleeing in battle, generosity, and lordly nature—these constitute the duty of kshatriyas, born of their nature.

Krishna explains the duties of kshatriyas. 'Śauryaṁ tejo dhṛtir dākṣyaṁ yuddhe cāpy apalāyanam'—heroism (śauryam), splendor (tejaḥ), firmness (dhṛtiḥ), skill (dākṣyam), not fleeing in battle (yuddhe apalāyanam). 'Dānam īśvara-bhāvaś ca kṣātraṁ karma svabhāva-jam'—generosity (dānam), lordly nature (īśvara-bhāvaḥ), these constitute the duty of kshatriyas (kṣātram karma), born of their nature (svabhāva-jam). These are rajasic duties: qualities of courage, leadership, protection, and generosity. Kshatriyas are those whose nature inclines toward leadership, protection, courage, and service to society through these qualities. Their duty is to protect, lead, and serve with courage and generosity. This is not about birth—it's about natural qualities and inclinations toward leadership and protection.