na tvahaṃ kāmayiṣye na ca devī nahi nāganaḥ
“I do not covet, nor does my wife, nor does our naked snake.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmayiṣye - na - ca - devī - nahi - nāganaḥ
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmayiṣye (will desire) na (not) ca (and) devī (the goddess) nahi (for) nāganaḥ (the naked one)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvāhaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmayiṣye | kāmayiṣye | verb | √kāmay · liṅ-optative · first | I may desire |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| devī | devī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | goddess |
| nahi | nahi | indeclinable | — | certainly not |
| nāganaḥ | nāganaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | elephant |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra offers a nuanced perspective on the nature of reality and desire. According to Shankara's reasoning in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras (specifically, 1.1.1), the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all distinctions and dualities, including the duality of desire and non-desire. The statement 'na tvahaṃ kāmayiṣye' (I do not covet) can be seen as an expression of the individual self (jīva) recognizing its true nature as non-desiring, which is a step towards realizing the identity with Brahman. The mention of 'devī' (wife) and 'nāganaḥ' (naked snake) serves to underscore that this non-desiring state transcends all relations and manifestations, pointing towards the ultimate non-dual reality. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1) further elucidates that realizing the self as non-desiring is essential for understanding the Brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as an expression of detachment and devotion. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya (on Brahma Sūtra 1.1.1), emphasizes the importance of realizing one's dependence on Īśvara (the Lord) and cultivating a sense of detachment from worldly desires. The statement 'na tvahaṃ kāmayiṣye' reflects the devotee's resolve to relinquish personal desires in favor of surrender to the divine will. The reference to 'devī' and 'nāganaḥ' may symbolize the devotee's relationships and worldly attachments, which must be transcended in the pursuit of devotion. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (12.13-14), highlights the importance of cultivating a desireless state (vairāgya) as a means of achieving divine love and realizing one's true relationship with Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan offer a modern interpretation of this verse, focusing on its universal and practical applications. Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Upanishads, emphasizes the importance of self-control and the renunciation of selfish desires as a path to realizing one's true potential. The statement 'na tvahaṃ kāmayiṣye' can be seen as a call to recognize and let go of one's egoistic tendencies, allowing for a more expansive and compassionate sense of self. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'Indian Philosophy,' highlights the relevance of this verse to contemporary life, where individuals are often driven by desires and attachments that hinder their true fulfillment. The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of balance, self-awareness, and the cultivation of a desireless state in achieving a more harmonious and meaningful existence.