Na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - svargaṃ - nāpi - mokṣaṃ - ca - vidyāṃ - dehi - guroḥ - putra - pārthivānāṃ - tṛṇāya

Na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom), na (not) svargaṃ (heaven), nāpi (nor) mokṣaṃ (liberation) ca (and).Vidyāṃ (knowledge) dehi (give) guroḥ (of the teacher) putra (son) pārthivānāṃ (of kings) tṛṇāya (as grass)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual understanding of reality, pointing towards the ultimate identity of brahman and ātman. Shankara, in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, emphasizes that true knowledge (vidyā) is the realization of this identity, which is beyond the realm of worldly desires such as kingdom, heaven, or even liberation. The desire for knowledge mentioned in the verse is a call to transcend the mundane and seek the understanding that leads to mokṣa, not as a separate entity to be achieved, but as the natural state of being once ignorance (avidyā) is dispelled. This interpretation aligns with Shankara's reasoning that the ultimate goal is not to attain something new but to realize what already is - the union of the individual self with the universal self, or brahman. Thus, the verse, through its rejection of external goals and its focus on knowledge, propels the seeker towards the path of self-inquiry and the discovery of the ātman.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava perspective on this verse highlights the relationship between the jīva (the individual self) and Īśvara (the supreme lord). Ramanuja, for instance, would interpret the desire for knowledge as a yearning for the lord's grace, which alone can bestow true understanding. The rejection of kingdom, heaven, and liberation in favor of knowledge signifies the devotee's recognition that all worldly and otherworldly attainments are ephemeral and unsatisfying without a deep, loving relationship with God. The 'blade of grass' metaphor suggests the humility and simplicity required of the devotee, who, like a child, approaches the divine with an open and receptive heart, ready to receive the gift of knowledge and, through it, a deeper communion with the lord. This reading emphasizes bhakti, or devotion, as the primary means to attain the knowledge that leads to spiritual liberation, underscoring the personal and relational aspect of spiritual pursuit.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, a key figure in the Neo-Vedānta movement, would see this verse as a powerful expression of the universal quest for knowledge and the importance of self-actualization. He often spoke about the need for individuals to strive for spiritual growth and self-realization, emphasizing that true freedom lies not in external attainments but in the realization of one's inner potential. This verse, with its emphasis on the desire for knowledge over material or heavenly rewards, resonates with Vivekananda's call to move beyond the bounds of conventional thinking and societal expectations, and to seek the universal truths that lie at the heart of all existence. In contemporary terms, this means embracing a life of purpose, driven by a quest for understanding and a commitment to personal and spiritual development, recognizing that such a journey is essential for both individual fulfillment and the betterment of society as a whole.

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