na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mohaṃ na vai raṇe . na vai parastrī na ca dyūtaṃ na ca krodho na madah ||
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I desire attachment, nor conflict, nor another's wife, nor gambling, nor anger, nor intoxication.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mohaṃ - na - vai - raṇe - na - vai - parastrī - na - ca - dyūtaṃ - na - ca - krodho - na - madah
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (not) ca (and) mohaṃ (attachment) na (not) vai (indeed) raṇe (in battle)na (not) vai (indeed) parastrī (other's wife) na (not) ca (and) dyūtaṃ (gambling)na (not) ca (and) krodho (anger) na (not) madah (intoxication)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mohaṃ | mohaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | delusion |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| raṇe | raṇe | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in battle |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| parastrī | parastrī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | another's wife |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| dyūtaṃ | dyūtaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | gambling |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| krodho | krodho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | anger |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| madah | madah | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | pride |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra underscores the non-dualistic approach to life, emphasizing detachment from worldly desires. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (Chapter 3, Verse 30) echoes a similar sentiment, where he advocates for the abandonment of ego and desires. The non-dual reading of this verse points to the ultimate reality of brahman-ātman identity, highlighting the need to transcend fleeting worldly attachments and realize one's true, unchanging nature. By renouncing desires for kingdom, attachment, conflict, another's wife, gambling, anger, and intoxication, one embarks on a journey of self-discovery, ultimately leading to the awareness of the absolute, all-encompassing brahman. This detachment facilitates the realization that the self (ātman) is, in fact, identical with the universal reality (brahman), freeing the individual from the cycle of suffering and ignorance.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as a testament to the importance of devotion and self-surrender to the divine. According to Rāmānujācārya, the ultimate goal is to cultivate a loving relationship with the Īśvara (the personal God), recognizing the inherent difference between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara. In his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, Rāmānuja discusses the concept of prapatti, or self-surrender, which involves renouncing one's ego and desires, much like the sentiments expressed in this verse. By letting go of worldly attachments and desires, the devotee can focus on their love and devotion to the divine, fostering a deeper sense of dependency and humility, which are essential for spiritual growth and self-realization in the Vaiṣṇava tradition.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda's lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā emphasize the practical application of detachment in everyday life. He underscores the importance of being free from desire and ego, not for the sake of renunciation itself, but to realize one's full potential and live a life of service and compassion. This verse, with its emphasis on renouncing desires for power, pleasure, and material possessions, resonates with Vivekānanda's call for a life of simplicity, self-discipline, and service to others. In contemporary life, this verse encourages individuals to reevaluate their priorities, focusing on personal growth, relationships, and contributions to the greater good, rather than getting entangled in fleeting desires and worldly ambitions, thus aligning with the universal and practical ideals of Neo-Vedānta.