na tvahaṁ kāmaye rājyaṁ na svargo nāpi mokṣaḥ । nānutpannne mama kim asya kartavyam iti ca ॥
“I do not desire a kingdom, nor heaven, nor liberation; what then should I do with this, when it has not yet been produced?”
Structure
na - tvahaṁ - kāmaye - rājyaṁ - na - svargo - nāpi - mokṣaḥ - nānutpannne - mama - kim - asya - kartavyam - iti - ca
na (not) tvahaṁ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṁ (kingdom)na (not) svargo (heaven) nāpi (nor) mokṣaḥ (liberation)nān-utpannne (if not born) mama (to me) kim (what) asya (of this) kartavyam (duty) iti (thus) ca (and)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṁ | tvahaṁ | compound | dvandva · "tva + ahaṁ" | you and I |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṁ | rājyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| svargo | svargo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | heaven |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor |
| mokṣaḥ | mokṣaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | liberation |
| nānutpannne | nānutpannne | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in what has not yet arisen |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | my |
| kim | kim | indeclinable | — | what |
| asya | asya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of this |
| kartavyam | kartavyam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | duty |
| iti | iti | indeclinable | — | thus |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual essence of reality, pointing towards the identity of brahman and ātman. Shankara's commentary on the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.4.10) resonates with this verse, where he notes that the Self (Ātman) is not something to be attained or realized through external means, such as kingdom, heaven, or liberation. The phrase 'nānutpannne mama kim asya kartavyam' (what then should I do with this, when it has not yet been produced?) suggests the futility of seeking external validation or attainment, instead pointing the seeker towards an inner recognition of the Self, which is always already present. In this context, the rejection of desires for kingdom, heaven, or liberation is a call to look beyond the transient and illusory (māyā) towards the eternal and unified reality of brahman-ātman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as an expression of detachment (vairāgya) and devotion to Īśvara, the supreme lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his Bhagavad Gītā Bhāṣya, emphasizes the importance of dedicating one's actions to the service of the Lord, rather than seeking personal gain or liberation. The phrase 'na tvahaṁ kāmaye rājyaṁ na svargo nāpi mokṣaḥ' (I do not desire a kingdom, nor heaven, nor liberation) may be understood as a declaration of the devotee's indifference to worldly and otherworldly attainments, instead yearning for the love and service of the Lord. This reading highlights the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara, where the ultimate goal is not self-realization but union with and devotion to the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda's interpretation of this verse would likely emphasize its practical and universal application. In his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, Vivekānanda highlights the importance of non-attachment and the futility of seeking external validation or happiness. The phrase 'nānutpannne mama kim asya kartavyam' can be seen as a call to introspection, prompting the individual to re-evaluate their priorities and desires. In contemporary life, this verse can be applied to the pursuit of material success, social status, or other worldly goals, reminding us that true fulfillment lies in looking beyond these external markers towards an inner sense of purpose and meaning. As Rādhākrishnan notes in his philosophical writings, the Upaniṣadic tradition, including this verse, offers a timeless wisdom that can guide individuals towards a more authentic and meaningful existence, one that is grounded in the recognition of the universal and eternal principles of human nature.