na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mokṣaṃ na punyataḥ । kāmaye 'smi yad matsyāt svāduprākṛtam ॥
“I do not desire a kingdom, nor liberation, nor heaven; I desire only that which is sweet and naturally available to me.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mokṣaṃ - na - punyataḥ - kāmaye - 'smi - yad - matsyāt - svāduprākṛtam
na (no) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (no) ca (and) mokṣaṃ (liberation) na (no) punyataḥ (merit)kāmaye (I desire) 'smi (that) yad (which) matsyāt (from fish) svāduprākṛtam (sweet preparation)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kā · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom, sovereignty |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mokṣaṃ | mokṣaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | liberation, mokṣa |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| punyataḥ | punyataḥ | indeclinable | — | from or for merit, i.e. for pious or virtuous deeds |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kā · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| ’smi | ’smi | verb | √as · laṭ-present · first | I am |
| yad | yad | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | what |
| matsyāt | matsyāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | fish |
| svāduprākṛtam | svāduprākṛtam | adjective | — | that which comes into existence with a taste, tasty |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the individual self (jīva) seeks to transcend worldly desires, including the desire for kingdom, liberation, or heaven. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the importance of realizing one's true nature (brahman-ātman identity) beyond the fleeting worldly attachments. The phrase 'svāduprākṛtam' (naturally available to me) hints at the innate bliss of the Self, which is independent of external objects. In the context of this verse, Śaṅkarācārya would likely argue that the jīva's quest for 'sweet' experiences is, in fact, a quest for its own true nature, which is characterized by bliss (ānanda) and awareness (cit). By letting go of desires for external objects, the individual can realize its identity with brahman, the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse can be seen as an expression of the jīva's innate longing for a relationship with the divine (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his Bhagavad Gītā Bhāṣya, emphasizes the importance of devotion (bhakti) and self-surrender (prapatti) in achieving spiritual liberation. The jīva's desire for 'svāduprākṛtam' (naturally available to me) can be understood as a desire for the natural, effortless love and devotion that arises from a genuine relationship with Īśvara. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might interpret this verse as a statement of the jīva's desire for the bliss of serving the Lord, which is naturally available to those who surrender to Him. In this context, the verse highlights the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the personal relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, and the importance of devotion and self-surrender in achieving spiritual fulfillment.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound insight into the human condition, highlighting the universal desire for happiness and fulfillment. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on 'Practical Vedānta', emphasizes the importance of realizing one's true nature and finding happiness within. The phrase 'svāduprākṛtam' (naturally available to me) suggests that true happiness is not something that can be found in external objects, but rather it is an innate aspect of our being. S. Radhakrishnan, in his writings on 'The Philosophy of the Upaniṣads', notes that this verse points to the importance of cultivating a sense of inner detachment and non-attachment to worldly desires. In contemporary life, this verse can be seen as a reminder to prioritize inner fulfillment and happiness over external accomplishments, and to cultivate a sense of detachment and non-attachment in the face of life's challenges.