na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājā na ca devari daṇḍanāyakaḥ । nāyaṃ merā na merī ca janānī na pitā ॥ 212
“I do not desire to be a king, nor a minister, nor a commander, nor my relative, nor my mother, nor my father.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājā - na - ca - devari - daṇḍanāyakaḥ - nāyaṃ - mera - na - merī - ca - janānī - na - pitā
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājā (to be a king)na (not) ca (and) devari (a god) daṇḍanāyakaḥ (a ruler)nāyaṃ (not this) mera (my) na (not) merī (my) ca (and) janānī (mother)na (not) pitā (father)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | compound | dvandva · "tva + ahaṃ" | you I |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| devari | devārī | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | queen |
| daṇḍanāyakaḥ | daṇḍanāyakaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | minister |
| nāyaṃ | nāyaṃ | compound | dvandva · "na + ayam" | this is not |
| mera | mera | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | my |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| merī | merī | pronoun | genitive · singular · feminine | my |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| janānī | janānī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | mother |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| pitā | pitā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | father |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra resonates with the non-dualistic philosophy of Advaita Vedānta. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the ultimate reality of Brahman and the illusory nature of the world. The statement 'I do not desire to be a king, nor a minister, nor a commander' reflects a detachment from worldly positions and desires, which is a key aspect of realizing one's true Self (Ātman). By renouncing identification with external roles and relationships, one can turn inward to discover the ultimate reality. As Shankara notes in his Upadesasahasri, the individual self (jiva) is not separate from Brahman but is, in essence, Brahman itself. This verse, in essence, points towards the renunciation of worldly attachments and the realization of the Brahman-Ātman identity, which is central to Advaita Vedānta.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, particularly through the lens of Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, views this verse as an expression of devotion and surrender to the divine. The rejection of worldly positions and relationships signifies a desire to transcend worldly limitations and connect with the absolute, Īśvara. In his Śrī Bhāshya, Rāmānuja interprets the Bhagavad Gita as a dialogue on the path of devotion (bhakti) and the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the supreme Lord (Īśvara). This verse can be seen as an aspiration to break free from ego-bound desires and surrender to the divine will, recognizing that true fulfillment and identity come from devotion to and dependence on Īśvara, rather than worldly achievements or familial bonds.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, a key figure in Neo-Vedānta, would likely interpret this verse as a call to individual freedom and the realization of one's inner strength and potential. In his lectures and writings, Vivekānanda often emphasized the importance of self-reliance and the pursuit of one's own path, unencumbered by external expectations or traditional roles. This verse reflects a universal theme of seeking identity and purpose beyond societal norms and expectations. As Radhakrishnan noted, the essence of Vedānta is its emphasis on the infinite potential of the human soul, which can be realized by transcending the limitations of the external world. This verse, therefore, can be seen as a practical guide for contemporary life, encouraging individuals to look within themselves for fulfillment and to strive for a deeper understanding of their true nature and purpose, unshackled by the constraints of societal roles and desires.