na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ nāpi mokṣaṃ na puṇyataḥ । samṛddhirapi nāhaṃ cchhettā na hāniriapi kañcana ।
“I do not desire kingdom, nor liberation, nor heaven; I do not desire prosperity, nor even harm to anyone.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - nāpi - mokṣaṃ - na - puṇyataḥ - samṛddhi - api - nāhaṃ - cchhettā - na - hāniri - api - kañcana
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) nāpi (nor) mokṣaṃ (liberation) na (not) puṇyataḥ (from doing good deeds) samṛddhi (prosperity) api (even) nāhaṃ (I do not) cchhettā (cut off or reject) na (not) hāniri (loss) api (even) kañcana (any)
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 |
| mokṣaṃ | mokṣaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | liberation |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| puṇyataḥ | puṇyataḥ | indeclinable | — | from virtue |
| samṛddhi | samṛddhi | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | prosperity |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also |
| nāhaṃ | nāhaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | I not |
| cchhettā | cchhettā | verb | √chhid · liṅ-optative · first | I would cut off |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hāniri | hāniri | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | harm |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also |
| kañcana | kañcana | indeclinable | — | anyone |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse encapsulates the Non-dual (Advaita) philosophy, emphasizing the renunciation of worldly desires, including the quest for liberation. Śaṅkarācārya notes in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra (IV.1.3) that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond human comprehension and desire. The speaker's detachment from desires and aversion implies a direct appreciation of the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman), echoing Śaṅkara's reasoning in his Upadeśasāhasrī (I.14.23-24) where he discusses the negation of the ego and the realization of the Self. By negating the desire for kingdom, liberation, and prosperity, the verse points to the understanding that the ultimate goal is not something to be achieved but is the inherent nature of Brahman-ātman identity itself.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as an illustration of pure devotion (bhakti) untainted by personal desire for material or spiritual gain. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrībhāṣya (II.2.42), discusses the concept of 'prapatti' or complete surrender to the will of the Lord, which mirrors the speaker's detachment from desires. For Madhvācārya, as seen in his Anuvyākhyāna (II.3.14-15), such a stance reflects the recognition of the total dependence of the jīva (individual self) on Īśvara (the Lord), underscoring the devotional path where one's desires are subsumed by the desire to please and serve the Divine. This verse, therefore, highlights the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where true liberation lies in serving the Lord, not in personal achievement or renunciation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda interprets this verse as an expression of the universal principle of selflessness and the practical path to achieving inner peace in contemporary life. In his lectures on 'Karma Yoga' (Complete Works, Vol. I), Vivekānanda emphasizes the importance of performing actions without attachment to their outcomes, mirroring the speaker's indifference to worldly or spiritual gains. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his 'Indian Philosophy' (Vol. II, 1927), discusses the idea of 'nishkāma karma' (action without desire), highlighting its relevance to modern ethical living. This verse, thus, has a universal and practical application, encouraging individuals to embark on a journey of self-discovery and service, unencumbered by personal desires or expectations, leading to a life of greater fulfillment and harmony.