na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na svargo nāpi mokṣaḥ । yadyuktā mayi praptaṃ tanme dadyād drutam .
“I do not desire kingdom, nor heaven, nor liberation; whoever gives me what I have obtained by my intelligence, may give it quickly.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - svargo - nāpi - mokṣaḥ - yadi - yuktā - mayi - praptaṃ - tat - me - dadyād - drutam
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom),na (not) svargo (heaven) nāpi (nor) mokṣaḥ (liberation),yadi (if) yuktā (by effort) mayi (for me) praptaṃ (obtained) tat (that) me (to me) dadyād (give) drutam (quickly)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | compound | dvandva · "tva + ahaṃ" | you and I, or even you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom, sovereignty |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| svargo | svargo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | heaven, paradise |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor, not even |
| mokṣaḥ | mokṣaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | liberation, release |
| yadi | yadi | indeclinable | — | if, when |
| yuktā | yuktā | verb | √yuj · past participle | being yoked or attached to |
| mayi | mayi | compound | — | in me |
| praptaṃ | praptaṃ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | obtained, gained |
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| me | me | pronoun | dative · singular · masculine | to me, for me |
| dadyād | dadyād | verb | √dā · liṅ-optative · third | may he give |
| drutam | drutam | indeclinable | — | quickly, swiftly |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of ultimate reality, as it negates the desire for ephemeral attainments such as kingdom, heaven, or even liberation. According to Shankara, the true self (ātman) is already liberated and one with Brahman. The line 'yadyuktā mayi praptaṃ tanme dadyād drutam' can be seen as an expression of the desire for self-realization, where the individual seeks to regain their true nature quickly. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (1.1.1) emphasizes the unity of Brahman and ātman, and this verse can be seen as a call to realize this unity, beyond the fleeting aspirations of worldly life. By relinquishing desires for external attainments, one can focus on the inner quest for self-knowledge, leading to the direct experience of the non-dual Brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse centers on the concept of prapatti, or self-surrender to the divine. Ramanuja's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (18.66) highlights the importance of surrendering all desires and egotistical tendencies to the Lord. In this context, the verse 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na svargo nāpi mokṣaḥ' can be seen as an expression of the devotee's detachment from worldly and heavenly aspirations, recognizing that true fulfillment lies in devotion to Īśvara. The line 'yadyuktā mayi praptaṃ tanme dadyād drutam' becomes a prayer to the Lord, requesting that He grant the devotee the wisdom and self-awareness necessary to cultivate an unwavering devotion, thereby achieving a state of loving communion with the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a universal and practical message that transcends sectarian boundaries. According to Vivekananda, the core of this verse lies in its emphasis on self-reliance and the cultivation of one's inner strength. In his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind' (Complete Works, Vol. 2), Vivekananda highlights the importance of recognizing one's own potential and tapping into it. The line 'yadyuktā mayi praptaṃ tanme dadyād drutam' can be seen as an invocation to unlock one's innate abilities and to trust in the power of one's own mind. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life' (1927), echoes this sentiment, stating that the true fulfillment of human life lies in the realization of one's own unique potential and the application of that potential in service to others. This verse thus encourages us to look within, to trust our own capacities, and to strive for self-actualization, leading to a life of purpose and fulfillment.