Na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mohaṃ na vitta-śriyam । Na cedaṃ pārṇināṃ vṛttaṃ yad bhuṅkte ca śete ca ।
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I desire wealth or worldly attachments, and it is not the way of living beings to merely eat and sleep.”
Structure
Na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mohaṃ - na - vitta-śriyam - Na - ca - idam - pārṇināṃ - vṛttaṃ - yad - bhuṅkte - ca - śete - ca
Ahaṃ (I) tv (emphatic) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) na (not) ca (and) mohaṃ (attachment) na (not) vitta-śriyam (wealth and prosperity) Na (not) ca (and) idam (this) vṛttaṃ (behaviour) pārṇināṃ (of creatures) yad (which) bhuṅkte (eats) ca (and) śete (sleeps) ca (and)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Na | Na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular | I, me |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom, sovereignty |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mohaṃ | mohaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | delusion, infatuation |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| vittāśriyam | vittāśriyam | compound | dvandva · "vittaṃ ca śriyam ca" | wealth and prosperity |
| Na | Na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| idam | idam | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | this |
| pārṇināṃ | pārṇināṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of ducks, ducks' |
| vṛttaṃ | vṛttaṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | circumstance, condition |
| yad | yad | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | which, what |
| bhuṅkte | bhuṅkte | verb | √bhuñj · laṭ-present · third | eats, enjoys |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| śete | śete | verb | √śī · laṭ-present · third | lies, sleeps |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse points to the ultimate reality of Brahman, beyond the fleeting nature of worldly attachments and desires. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras, specifically 1.1.1, echoes this sentiment, stating that the Self is not bound by the limitations of the material world. In this verse, the rejection of kingdom, worldly attachments, and mere existence (eating and sleeping) signifies the seeker's quest for the ultimate truth, which lies beyond the realm of duality. The phrase 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye' (I do not desire) underscores the renunciation of ego-centric desires, paving the way for the realization of the brahman-ātman identity. This understanding is central to Advaita Vedānta, where the individual self (ātman) is seen as non-different from the ultimate reality (Brahman). By transcending worldly desires, the seeker can experience this unity, as emphasized in Shankara's Upadesasahasri.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse highlights the jīva's inherent longing for a meaningful existence, beyond the mundane cycle of eating and sleeping. Ramanuja's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, particularly 3.21, notes that the performance of one's duties (svadharma) with devotion to Īśvara (the Lord) is the key to a fulfilling life. The rejection of worldly attachments and desires in this verse is seen as a call to redirect one's focus towards the service of Īśvara, thus establishing a loving relationship between the jīva (individual self) and the Lord. This devotional approach (bhakti) is central to the Vaiṣṇava tradition, where the ultimate goal is not mere liberation (mokṣa) but a loving union with the divine. In this context, the verse serves as a reminder to reorient one's life towards a path of devotion and service, echoing Ramanuja's emphasis on the path of prapatti (surrender) to the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse speaks to the universal human aspiration for a life of purpose and significance, transcending the mundane routines of existence. In his lectures on 'The Powers of the Mind', Swami Vivekānanda emphasizes the importance of directing one's energy and attention towards higher goals, beyond the mere satisfaction of physical needs. The rejection of worldly desires and attachments in this verse is seen as a call to self-reflection and self-improvement, leading to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. This practical and universal application of the verse resonates with Vivekānanda's message of service to humanity and the pursuit of spiritual growth. In contemporary life, this verse serves as a reminder to re-evaluate one's priorities and strive for a balance between material well-being and spiritual aspirations, as echoed in Vivekānanda's exhortation to 'Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached'.