na tvahaṁ kāmayiṣye na kadāpi niṣedhiṣye
“I will neither covet nor prohibit”
Structure
na tv aham kāmayiṣye na kadāpi niṣedhiṣye
aham (I) tv (not) kāmayiṣye (will desire) na (not) kadāpi (ever) niṣedhiṣye (will prohibit)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tv | tvā | indeclinable | — | you |
| aham | aham | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| kāmayiṣye | kāmayiṣye | verb | √kā · liṅ-optative · first | I may desire |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kadāpi | kadāpi | indeclinable | — | ever |
| niṣedhiṣye | niṣedhiṣye | verb | √niṣidh · liṅ-optative · first | I may prohibit |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions of coveting or prohibiting are transcended. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya explains that the sage who has realized the Self (Ātman) does not engage in desires or prohibitions, as these are based on duality. The verse 'na tvahaṁ kāmayiṣye na kadāpi niṣedhiṣye' illustrates the state of the sage who has gone beyond the bounds of desire and aversion, resting in the awareness of Brahman-Ātman identity. Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning on similar verses in the Upaniṣads emphasizes the importance of transcending worldly attachments and aversions to realize the ultimate non-dual reality. In this context, the verse points to the liberation from the cycle of desire and prohibition, achieving a state of freedom and unity with Brahman, thus reaffirming the central tenet of Advaita Vedānta.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse in the context of the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the importance of surrendering one's desires andego to the will of Īśvara. The verse 'na tvahaṁ kāmayiṣye na kadāpi niṣedhiṣye' can be seen as a statement of devotion, where the individual renounces personal desires and accepts the divine will, thus fostering a deeper relationship between the jīva and Īśvara. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the difference between the individual self and the Supreme, might view this verse as an expression of the jīva's surrender to Īśvara's command, highlighting the dependency of the jīva on Īśvara's grace for liberation. This devotional reading underscores the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on bhakti and surrender as the path to spiritual realization.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, in the context of modern Vedānta, is seen as a call to universal application and practical living. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the importance of self-control and the transcendence of desires as a means to achieve inner peace and harmony. The statement 'na tvahaṁ kāmayiṣye na kadāpi niṣedhiṣye' can be understood as a principle for daily life, where one strives to be free from the binding forces of desire and aversion, thereby achieving a state of equilibrium and balance. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical writings, connects this verse to the human quest for freedom and the realization of one's true nature. He sees this verse as an affirmation of the human potential to rise above mundane desires and prohibitions, reaching a state of spiritual freedom that is characterized by a sense of unity and harmony with all existence. This reading brings the verse into contemporary relevance, highlighting its applicability to personal and societal harmony.