na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca rājyasya kāmanā

ahaṃ (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) na (and not) ca (also) kāmanā (for the desire) rājyasya (of kingdom)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse resonates deeply with the non-dual philosophy of Advaita Vedānta. Shankara, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the importance of transcending worldly desires, including the desire for kingdoms or power. The statement 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ' (I do not desire the kingdom) reflects the detachment from worldly attachments that is central to the pursuit of Self-realization. Shankara would likely interpret this verse as pointing to the ultimate reality of Brahman, where the distinction between the individual self (ātman) and the universal self (Brahman) is transcended. The non-desire for the kingdom symbolizes the detachment from the ephemeral, allowing the seeker to focus on the eternal and unchanging nature of the Self. This verse, in the context of Advaita Vedānta, underscores the importance of vairagya (detachment) in realizing the identity of Brahman and ātman.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, with its emphasis on bhakti (devotion) and the personal relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord), offers a distinctive interpretation of this verse. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, highlights the importance of surrendering one's desires and will to the divine. The statement 'na ca rājyasya kāmanā' (nor do I have a desire for the kingdom) can be seen as an expression of prapatti, or the surrender of one's desires to the Lord, recognizing that true fulfillment comes not from worldly power but from devotion to the divine. This surrender is a cornerstone of Vaiṣṇava theology, emphasizing the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara. Madhvācārya, from the Dvaita tradition, might view this verse as a manifestation of the dependence of the jīva on the Lord, where the renunciation of worldly desires is a recognition of the Lord's supremacy and the jīva's inherent subservience to the divine will.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse finds contemporary relevance in the writings and lectures of Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan, who both emphasized the universal and practical applications of Vedāntic philosophy. Vivekānanda, in his lectures on karma yoga, often spoke about the importance of detaching oneself from the fruits of action, which aligns with the sentiment expressed in 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ'. He would likely interpret this verse as encouraging individuals to renounce personal desires and ambitions for the sake of serving a higher purpose. Similarly, Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, stressed the importance of integrating the spiritual and the secular, suggesting that the realization of one's true nature is not about escaping the world but about engaging with it from a place of inner freedom and detachment. This verse, in the context of Neo-Vedānta, becomes a call to action, urging individuals to redefine their relationship with power, success, and personal ambition, and to seek fulfillment in the service of humanity and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.

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