na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca rājyasya kāmanā. amoghāṃ manaso hlādāṃ cintaye na tathā gṛham.
“I do not desire a kingdom, nor do I have a desire for a kingdom; I do not think my mind's delight is useless in the same way I do not think of home.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - rājyasya - kāmanā - amoghām - manaso - hlādāṃ - cintaye - na - tathā - gṛham
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (not) ca (and) rājyasya (of kingdom) kāmanā (for desire's sake)amoghām (fruitful) manaso (of mind) hlādāṃ (delight) cintaye (I think)na (not) tathā (in that way) gṛham (home)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| rājyasya | rājyasya | noun | genitive · singular · neuter | of the kingdom |
| kāmanā | kāmanā | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | because of desire |
| amoghāṃ | amoghāṃ | adjective | — | effective |
| manaso | manaso | noun | ablative · singular · neuter | of the mind |
| hlādāṃ | hlādāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | delight |
| cintaye | cintaye | verb | √cint · present · first | I think |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tathā | tathā | indeclinable | — | in that way |
| gṛham | gṛham | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | home |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, pointing to the ultimate identity of brahman and ātman. Shankara's commentary on the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (2.5.19) highlights the concept of 'ananda' or bliss, which is the essential nature of the Self. Here, the verse's mention of 'amoghāṃ manaso hlādāṃ' (unfailing delight of the mind) alludes to this inherent bliss. By rejecting the desire for kingdom and worldly attachments, the verse implies the renunciation of ego-bound consciousness, paving the way for the realization of the true Self. This reading is in line with Shankara's emphasis on the need to transcend worldly desires to attain Self-knowledge, as seen in his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse can be seen as an expression of the jīva's detachment from worldly desires and its longing for union with Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (12.13-14) highlights the importance of cultivating detachment and devotion to the Lord. The verse's statement 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ' (I do not desire a kingdom) reflects the jīva's recognition of the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures and its aspiration for a higher, eternal reality. The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this as a call to surrender one's ego and desires to the Lord, allowing for the experience of divine love and bliss. This reading is in line with Rāmānujācārya's emphasis on the path of devotion (bhakti) as a means to attain liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse offers a profound message for contemporary life, emphasizing the importance of inner fulfillment and the fleeting nature of external desires. In his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind' (Complete Works, Vol. 3), Swami Vivekānanda highlights the need to cultivate mental strength and inner peace. The verse's reference to 'amoghāṃ manaso hlādāṃ' (unfailing delight of the mind) resonates with Vivekānanda's teachings on the potential for human beings to tap into their inner source of joy and peace. By letting go of external desires and attachments, individuals can discover their true nature and experience a sense of freedom and fulfillment. This verse thus serves as a reminder of the universal importance of cultivating inner awareness and detachment in everyday life, as emphasized by Vivekānanda in his lectures and writings.