Na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mohaṃ na daivataiḥ. Na piśāceṇa na kāmeṇa na krodhena na lobhataḥ.
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I desire delusion, nor association with the gods, nor with demons, nor with lust, nor with anger, nor with greed.”
Structure
Na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mohaṃ - na - daivataiḥ - Na - piśāceṇa - na - kāmeṇa - na - krodhena - na - lobhataḥ
Aham (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyam (kingdom)na (and not) ca (also) moham (delusion)na (nor) daivataiḥ (with the gods)na (nor) piśāceṇa (with a demon)na (nor) kāmeṇa (with desire)na (nor) krodhena (with anger)na (nor) lobhataḥ (with greed)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Na | Na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular | I, me |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom, sovereignty |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mohaṃ | mohaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | delusion, infatuation |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| daivataiḥ | daivataiḥ | noun | ablative · plural · masculine | with gods |
| Na | Na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| piśāceṇa | piśāceṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with a demon |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| kāmeṇa | kāmeṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with desire |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| krodhena | krodhena | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with anger |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| lobhataḥ | lobhataḥ | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from greed |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, emphasizing the futility of desiring external associations or states, including kingdom, delusion, or even divine associations. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras notes that such desires are based on a misapprehension of the self, which is not separate from Brahman. The rejection of desire for kingdom, delusion, gods, demons, lust, anger, or greed points to the relinquishment of the notion of a separate self, underscoring the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This verse thereby supports the Advaitic notion of liberation through the realization of non-duality, where all distinctions, including those between the self and the divine, are transcended.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse in the context of bhakti, or devotion, emphasizing the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Gītā, discusses the importance of detachment from worldly desires as a means to achieve love for God. This verse can be seen as an expression of detachment from all worldly and otherworldly desires, not out of a sense of asceticism, but to focus exclusively on one's love and devotion to the Lord. The rejection of desire for even divine associations highlights the exclusivity of devotion to a personal deity, in line with Vaiṣṇava theology. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the difference between the Lord and the individual self, would view this verse as emphasizing the total dependence of the self on God's grace for liberation from desires.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of spiritual principles in everyday life. This verse, from a Neo-Vedānta perspective, highlights the importance of detachment and self-control as keys to personal freedom and happiness. Vivekānanda might interpret the rejection of desires as a call to inner strength and purity, where one is not controlled by external forces or desires but is guided by a higher sense of purpose and service to others. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical writings, discussed the universal relevance of such verses, emphasizing their applicability to human life beyond traditional religious boundaries. This verse, in contemporary terms, speaks to the importance of mental discipline, simplicity, and the pursuit of a life governed by higher values rather than fleeting desires or external validations.