na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mohaṃ na saṃgrahaḥ । rājye ’smin upakṣaye kim asmān na bhaviṣyati ॥
“I do not desire the kingdom, nor do I have attachment, nor do I collect; if in this kingdom a harm happens, what will be the future for us?”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mohaṃ - na - saṃgrahaḥ - rājye - asmin - upakṣaye - kim - asmān - na - bhaviṣyati
ahaṃ (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) na (not) ca (and) mohaṃ (attachment) na (not) saṃgrahaḥ (acquisition) | asmin (this) rājye (kingdom) upakṣaye (when it decays) asmān (from us) kim (what) na (not) bhaviṣyati (will be)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mohaṃ | mohaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | delusion |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| saṃgrahaḥ | saṃgrahaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | acquisition |
| rājye | rājye | noun | locative · singular · neuter | in this kingdom |
| asmin | asmin | pronoun | locative · singular | in this |
| upakṣaye | upakṣaye | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in the destruction |
| kim | kim | indeclinable | — | what |
| asmān | asmān | pronoun | accusative · plural | us |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| bhaviṣyati | bhaviṣyati | verb | √bhu · laṣṭ-future · third | will be |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, as it hints at the detachment necessary for realizing the brahman-ātman identity. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of vairagya (detachment) in achieving self-realization. He notes that attachment to worldly things, including kingdoms and wealth, is a major obstacle to understanding one's true nature. This verse, by expressing a lack of desire for the kingdom and material possessions, points towards the path of renunciation and self-inquiry, which are central to Advaita Vedānta. The phrase 'rājye ’smin upakṣaye' suggests that even if the kingdom faces harm, the true Self remains unaffected, underscoring the impermanence of worldly things and the permanence of the ātman. In essence, this verse resonates with Śaṅkara's teaching that the ultimate reality is beyond human desires and possessions, guiding the seeker towards the realization of the non-dual brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as an expression of selfless devotion to Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, highlights the importance of prapatti, or surrender to the divine will. The speaker's renunciation of desire for the kingdom and material wealth can be understood as a form of prapatti, where one surrenders their personal desires and ambitions to the will of Īśvara. This surrender is not driven by a desire for personal gain but by a deep sense of devotion and loyalty to the divine. The phrase 'kim asmān na bhaviṣyati' suggests a recognition of one's dependence on Īśvara, acknowledging that the future is in the hands of the divine. Madhvācārya, in his Dvaita tradition, would likely emphasize the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, seeing this verse as an acknowledgment of the jīva's limitations and its need for dependence on Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, when viewed through the lens of Neo-Vedānta, offers profound insights into the nature of desire, attachment, and the human condition. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of selflessness and service to humanity. He would likely interpret this verse as a call to transcend personal desires and egoistic motivations, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from serving a higher purpose. The rejection of kingdom and material wealth in this verse aligns with Vivekānanda's teachings on the danger of desires and the fleeting nature of worldly achievements. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical writings, discussed the universal applicability of Indian thought, suggesting that such verses hold relevance for contemporary life by promoting a philosophy of detachment and social responsibility. This verse, in the modern context, encourages individuals to reflect on their priorities and values, adopting a more altruistic and detached approach to life and its challenges.