na tvahaṁ kāmaye rājyaṁ na svargaṁ nāpi mokṣaṁ ca . vivekaś caidaṁ mama priyataraṁ hi tat .
“I do not desire kingdom, nor heaven, nor even liberation; what I desire is only the discriminating intellect, which is more dear to me.”
Structure
na - tvahaṁ - kāmaye - rājyaṁ - na - svargaṁ - nāpi - mokṣaṁ - ca - vivekaś - ca - idam - mama - priyataraṁ - hi - tat
na (not) tvahaṁ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṁ (kingdom)na (not) svargaṁ (heaven) nāpi (nor) mokṣaṁ (liberation) ca (and)vivekaś (discernment) ca (and) idam (this) mama (my) priyataraṁ (more dear) hi (indeed) tat (that)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṁ | tvahaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṁ | rājyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| svargaṁ | svargaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | heaven |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor |
| mokṣaṁ | mokṣaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | liberation |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| vivekaś | vivekaś | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | discernment |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| idam | idam | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | this |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive · singular | my |
| priyataraṁ | priyataraṁ | adjective | — | dearer |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for |
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual reading of ultimate reality, where the discriminating intellect (viveka) enables the seeker to realize the identity of Brahman and Ātman. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of viveka in discerning the real from the unreal. In the context of this verse, the rejection of kingdom, heaven, and liberation in favor of viveka suggests that the ultimate goal is not a state or a destination, but the direct realization of one's true nature. This reading is supported by Śaṅkarācārya's concept of 'anubhava' or direct experience, which is the immediate and intimate knowledge of Brahman. The verse, therefore, points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (jīva) is ultimately non-different from the universal reality (Brahman). By emphasizing viveka, the verse encourages the seeker to cultivate a discerning intellect that can distinguish between the real and the unreal, leading to the direct experience of this identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be seen as an expression of the devotee's (bhakta) single-minded devotion to the Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the importance of bhakti as a means of realizing the ultimate reality. The rejection of kingdom, heaven, and liberation in favor of viveka suggests that the devotee values the direct experience of the Lord's presence over any other goal. This reading is supported by Rāmānujācārya's concept of 'prapatti' or self-surrender, where the devotee surrenders their entire being to the Lord, seeking nothing in return but the Lord's love and grace. The verse, therefore, highlights the intimate relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord), where the jīva seeks nothing but the pleasure of Īśvara, and Īśvara, in turn, delights in the devotion of the jīva. By emphasizing viveka, the verse encourages the devotee to cultivate a discerning intellect that can recognize the Lord's presence in all aspects of life.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has a profound universal and practical application in contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the 'Complete Works', emphasizes the importance of viveka in cultivating a discerning intellect that can navigate the complexities of modern life. The rejection of external goals such as kingdom, heaven, and liberation in favor of viveka suggests that true freedom and fulfillment can only be realized through the development of the inner self. This reading is supported by Vivekānanda's concept of 'man-making education', which aims to cultivate the inner strengths and abilities of the individual, enabling them to contribute positively to society. The verse, therefore, encourages individuals to look within and cultivate their inner resources, rather than seeking external solutions to life's challenges. By emphasizing viveka, the verse promotes a culture of critical thinking, self-awareness, and personal growth, which are essential for navigating the complexities of modern life and creating a more just and equitable society.