na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ nāpi mohayitum c cittaṃ ।
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I wish to bewilder your mind.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - nāpi - mohayitum - ca - cittaṃ
ahaṃ (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) nāpi (nor) mohayitum (to bewilder) ca (and) cittaṃ (my mind)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | compound | dvandva · "tva + aham" | you and I |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | and not, nor |
| mohayitum | mohayitum | verb | √moh · liṅ-optative | to bewilder |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| cittāṃ | cittāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | mind |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality by implying the ultimate futility of worldly desires and the bewilderment of the mind. According to Shankara, the quest for kingdom or the attempt to bewilder the mind is rooted in ignorance (avidyā) of one's true nature, which is Brahman. The statement 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ' (I do not desire kingdom) reflects a detachment from worldly attainments, pointing towards the realization of the Ātman, which is beyond all worldly desires. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras emphasizes the need to transcend such desires to realize the unity of Brahman and Ātman. This verse, in essence, invites the seeker to look beyond the ephemeral and illusory nature of worldly power and mental agitation, suggesting that true fulfillment lies in the understanding of one's true, unchanging nature.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as an expression of devotion and surrender to the will of Īśvara. The speaker's disinterest in kingdom or bewilderment of the mind signifies a readiness to renounce personal ambitions and desires, aligning oneself with the divine will. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of prapatti (surrender) to Īśvara, which involves giving up all desires and letting the Lord's will be done. This verse reflects such a surrender, where the individual ego and its desires are subordinated to the divine plan, illustrating the jīva's dependence on Īśvara. Madhvācārya would further emphasize the difference between the independent reality of Īśvara and the dependent nature of the jīva, highlighting the importance of recognizing and surrendering to this relationship.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has profound implications for contemporary life, emphasizing the importance of detachment from worldly ambitions and the cultivation of mental clarity. According to Swami Vivekānanda, the pursuit of power and wealth, symbolized by 'rājyaṃ' (kingdom), is a fleeting dream that distracts us from the realization of our true potential and inner peace. In his lectures, Vivekānanda often stressed the need to look beyond external achievements and focus on the development of the self, suggesting that true strength and freedom lie in the mastery of one's mind. S. Radhakrishnan further elaborates on this theme, arguing that the bewilderment of the mind (mohayitum cittaṃ) is a result of our fragmented and ego-driven existence. By letting go of these tendencies, as implied in the verse, we can move towards a more integrated and compassionate way of living, realizing our unity with all existence.