na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mohaṃ na vai raṇe । na vai parastrī na ca svapne'pi hiṃsāṃ na kāmaye ॥
“I do not desire a kingdom, nor do I desire wealth or a fight, nor another's wife, nor even in a dream do I desire harm.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mohaṃ - na - vai - raṇe - na - vai - parastrī - na - ca - svapne - api - hiṃsāṃ - na - kāmaye
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (not) ca (and) mohaṃ (greed) na (not) vai (indeed) raṇe (in battle)na (not) vai (indeed) parastrī (another's wife) na (not) ca (and)svapne (even in dream) api (also) hiṃsāṃ (harm) na (not) kāmaye (I desire)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| 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 |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| raṇe | raṇe | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in battle |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| parastrī | parastrī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | another's wife |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| svapne | svapne | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in a dream |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | even |
| hiṃsāṃ | hiṃsāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | harm |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual reading of ultimate reality, where the seeker transcends worldly desires. According to Shankara, the essence of the self (ātman) is untouched by desires for kingdom, wealth, or harm, as these are mere projections of the mind. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara emphasizes that the knowledge of brahman leads to the cessation of all desires, as one realizes the identity of brahman and ātman. This verse, in essence, points to the freedom from the cycle of desire and aversion, leading the seeker to the realization of the ultimate non-dual reality, where the distinctions of subject and object, self and other, dissolve. Shankara's reasoning, as seen in his works such as the Upadesasahasri, highlights the importance of renouncing worldly attachments to realize the true nature of the self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the devotee's selfless love for Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, emphasizes the importance of cultivating a sense of detachment from worldly desires, as a means to deepen one's devotion to the Lord. The verse is not just a rejection of worldly desires, but an affirmation of the devotee's single-minded focus on the divine. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, highlights the importance of recognizing the jīva's inherent dependence on Īśvara, and the need to cultivate a sense of selfless devotion, untainted by worldly desires. This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava tradition, serves as a reminder of the devotee's ultimate goal: to realize the loving relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, unencumbered by worldly attachments.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, in the context of modern life, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultivating inner freedom and detachment. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on karma yoga, emphasizes the need to renounce selfish desires and cultivate a sense of selfless service, as a means to attain spiritual growth. The verse's rejection of desires for kingdom, wealth, and harm, is seen as a call to action, to live a life of simplicity, compassion, and non-violence. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the Upanishads, highlights the universal relevance of this verse, as a reminder of the importance of cultivating a sense of inner peace and contentment, untainted by worldly desires. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, serves as a powerful reminder of the need to balance our external pursuits with a deep sense of inner fulfillment and spiritual growth.