na tvam eva vṛthā rājan na tvaṁ vṛthā ca pārthive nūnaṁ pārthivo rājā hi lokānāṁ hitam icchati
“The king is not useless; nor are you; surely the king, who wishes well to his people, protects the people.”
Structure
na tvam eva vṛthā rājan na tvaṁ vṛthā ca pārthive nūnaṁ pārthivaḥ rājā hi lokānāṁ hitam icchati
rājan (king) tvam (you) eva (indeed) na vṛthā (not in vain) pārthive (O king) na tvaṁ (not you) ca (and) vṛthā (in vain) nūnaṁ (certainly) pārthivaḥ (king) rājā ( ruler) hi (indeed) lokānāṁ (of people) hitam (welfare) icchati (desires)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvam | tvam | pronoun | second · singular | you |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| vṛthā | vṛthā | indeclinable | — | in vain |
| rājan | rājan | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvaṁ | tvam | pronoun | second · singular | you |
| vṛthā | vṛthā | indeclinable | — | in vain |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| pārthive | pārthive | noun | vocative · singular · masculine | O king |
| nūnaṁ | nūnaṁ | indeclinable | — | surely |
| pārthivaḥ | pārthivaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for |
| lokānāṁ | lokānāṁ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of people |
| hitam | hitam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | good |
| icchati | icchati | verb | √icch · present · third | wishes |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse points to the nondual nature of reality, implying that the king's role is not separate from the people's well-being. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (BS 1.1.5) highlights the concept of Brahman as the ultimate reality, and the king's duty to protect and serve the people can be seen as a manifestation of this Brahman. The phrase 'lokānāṁ hitam icchati' (wishes well to his people) suggests the king's selfless intention, mirroring the selfless nature of Brahman. This verse thus underscores theAdvaitic notion that the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the universal self (Brahman), and the king's actions should reflect this understanding. By serving the people, the king serves the ultimate reality, demonstrating the nondual principle of 'Tat tvam asi' (That thou art).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as exemplifying the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (BG 4.24) emphasizes the importance of selfless action (niskāma karma) in achieving spiritual growth. The king's duty to protect and serve the people is a prime example of selfless action, motivated by a desire to please Īśvara. The phrase 'nūnaṁ pārthivo rājā hi' (surely the king) highlights the idea that the king's role is ordained by Īśvara, and his actions should be guided by a sense of devotion and service to the Lord. This verse thus illustrates the Vaiṣṇava concept of 'prapatti' (surrender), where the individual self (jīva) surrenders to the will of Īśvara, recognizing their dependence on the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has significant implications for contemporary life, emphasizing the importance of leadership and service to others. Swami Vivekānanda's lectures on ' Karma Yoga' highlight the need for selfless action in achieving personal and social transformation. The king's role in protecting and serving the people can be seen as a model for modern leaders, who should prioritize the well-being of their citizens. The phrase 'lokānāṁ hitam icchati' (wishes well to his people) underscores the importance of empathy and compassion in leadership, recognizing the interconnectedness of all individuals. S. Rādhākrishnan's writings on 'The Hindu View of Life' also emphasize the importance of 'dharma' (duty) in guiding individual and collective action. This verse thus offers a universal message on the importance of selfless leadership and service, relevant to contemporary society and governance.