na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mohaṃ na vai raṇe । na kāmaye mattyaiḥ svaiḥ paradārān hi naicchāmi ॥
“I do not desire sovereignty, nor do I desire delusion or fighting; I do not desire my own wives or others' wives.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mohaṃ - na - vai - raṇe - na - kāmaye - mattyaiḥ - svaiḥ - paradārān - hi - na - icchāmi
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (not) ca (and) mohaṃ (delusion) na (not) vai (indeed) raṇe (in battle)na (not) kāmaye (desire) mattyaiḥ (with my own) svaiḥ (mates) paradārān (the wives of others) hi (for) na (not) icchāmi (I desire)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mohaṃ | mohaṁ | 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 |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| mattyaiḥ | mattyaiḥ | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | with my own |
| svaiḥ | svaiḥ | adjective | — | my own |
| paradārān | paradārān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | the wife of another |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| icchāmi | icchāmi | verb | √icch · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual perspective of reality, where the distinctions between the self and the world are transcended. Śaṅkara, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of detaching oneself from desires and worldly attachments to realize the ultimate reality, Brahman. The rejection of sovereignty, delusion, and fighting, as well as the desire for one's own wives or others', points to the illusory nature of worldly pleasures and the necessity of recognizing the ātman's true identity with Brahman. By negating all desires, the individual self can realize its unity with the ultimate reality, thereby achieving liberation. This verse, in the context of Advaita Vedānta, serves as a reminder to focus on the realization of the self and not get entangled in worldly desires and Dualities.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse in the context of the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (God). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, comments on the importance of recognizing the dependence of the individual self on God, and the need to cultivate devotion and surrender to attain liberation. The rejection of worldly desires, including sovereignty and material possessions, is seen as a necessary step in developing a selfless love for God. This verse highlights the futility of seeking happiness in worldly pleasures and encourages the individual to redirect their desires towards a loving relationship with Īśvara. The ultimate goal, according to Rāmānujācārya, is to realize one's inherent dependence on God and attain liberation through devotion and self-surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of Vedāntic principles in everyday life. This verse, in the context of Neo-Vedānta, is seen as a call to individuals to re-evaluate their priorities and values. The rejection of worldly desires and attachments is not meant to be a mere ascetic rejection, but rather an invitation to cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and meaning. As Vivekānanda notes, 'The goal of life is not to acquire wealth or power, but to realize the divine within.' This verse encourages individuals to redirect their energies towards the pursuit of spiritual growth, self-awareness, and service to others. In contemporary life, this verse can serve as a reminder to cultivate a sense of inner fulfillment and purpose, rather than chasing after external validation and material possessions. By letting go of our attachments to worldly desires, we can awaken to our true potential and contribute to the greater good.