na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ nāpi mokṣaṃ na punyataḥ ।
“I do not desire kingdom, nor liberation, nor heaven.”
Structure
na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ nāpi mokṣaṃ na puṇyataḥ
ahaṃ (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) na (not) api (also) mokṣaṃ (liberation) na (not) puṇyataḥ (from doing good deeds)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor |
| mokṣaṃ | mokṣaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | liberation |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| puṇyataḥ | puṇyataḥ | indeclinable | — | out of piety/righteousness |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dualistic philosophy by negating the desire for empirical experiences, including kingdom, liberation, and heaven. According to Shankara, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the sole existent, and all else is a manifestation of it. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 3, Verse 25), Shankara emphasizes that actions should be performed without attachment to their results, much like the sentiment expressed in this verse. The negation of desires for rājyaṃ (kingdom), mokṣaṃ (liberation), and puṇyataḥ (heaven) points to the ultimate goal of realizing the brahman-ātman identity. By letting go of worldly and otherworldly desires, the individual self (ātman) can understand its true nature, which is non-different from Brahman. This understanding leads to the direct experience of liberation, not as a result of achieving something but as the natural state of being once ignorance is dispelled.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse in the context of devotion and the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Brahmasūtra Bhāṣya, emphasizes the importance of prapatti (surrender) to the Lord, which involves renouncing desires for personal gain, including spiritual aspirations like mokṣa. This verse can be seen as an expression of such surrender, where the individual renounces all desires, even those considered spiritually noble, to fully dedicate themselves to the service and love of the Lord. Madhvācārya, in his commentaries, would likely emphasize the difference between the Lord and the individual souls, highlighting that true liberation (mokṣa) is not a merger with the Lord but a state of eternal service and bliss in His presence, underscoring the verse's negation of desires as a means to focus on devotional service.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often stressed the practical and universal application of Vedāntic principles. He would likely interpret this verse as a call to re-evaluate one's priorities and aspirations, focusing on the inner fulfillment and the realization of one's true potential rather than external achievements or spiritual Status symbols. In his speech 'The Real Nature of Man' (from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda), Vivekānanda discusses the importance of looking beyond the material and the mundane to find one's true self. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, emphasizes the human quest for meaning and the significance of spiritual experiences. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, invites individuals to reflect on their values and goals, encouraging a shift from the pursuit of transient pleasures or even traditional notions of spiritual success towards a deeper understanding and realization of the self and its connection to the universe.