na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ nāpi mohanam iṣitām
“I do not desire a kingdom, nor do I desire a captivating wife.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - nāpi - mohanam - iṣitām
ahaṃ (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) nāpi (nor) iṣitām (desired) mohanam (enchantment)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor, not at all |
| mohanam | mohanam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | delusion |
| iṣitām | iṣitām | verb | √iṣ | desired |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is a profound expression of the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad emphasizes the idea that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all desires and dualities. In the context of this verse, the rejection of kingdom and captivating wife signifies the renunciation of worldly attachments, which is a crucial step towards realizing the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). As Shankara notes in his Brahmasutra Bhashya, the knowledge of Brahman leads to the cessation of all desires, including the desire for worldly power and sensual pleasure. This verse thus points to the liberation from the cycle of birth and death, which is the ultimate goal of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be seen as an expression of the devotee's single-minded devotion to the Lord. According to Ramanuja's Sri Bhashya, the ultimate goal of human life is to attain liberation, which is achieved through self-surrender to the Lord. The rejection of kingdom and captivating wife in this verse signifies the devotee's detachment from worldly desires and his exclusive focus on the Lord. As Ramanuja notes, the devotee's love for the Lord is not motivated by a desire for worldly gain or sensual pleasure, but rather by a deep sense of dependence and devotion. This verse thus highlights the importance of bhakti, or devotion, as the means to attain liberation and union with the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has a profound message for modern times, emphasizing the importance of inner freedom and self-mastery. As Swami Vivekananda notes in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gita, true freedom lies in the ability to renounce worldly desires and attachments, and to cultivate a sense of detachment and equanimity. The rejection of kingdom and captivating wife in this verse signifies the individual's ability to rise above the limitations of the ego and to realize their true nature as a spiritual being. As Radhakrishnan observes in his book 'Eastern Religions and Western Thought', this verse points to the universal human aspiration for transcendence and self-realization, which is the ultimate goal of all spiritual traditions. In contemporary life, this verse can inspire individuals to re-evaluate their priorities and values, and to seek a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.