na tvahaṁ kāmayiṣye na ca te vaśagaḥ syāṁ nityamicchā hi me rājñaḥ
“I do not desire (to be under your control) and I shall not be under your control, for I always have the desire to be a king.”
Structure
na - tvahaṁ - kāmayiṣye - na - ca - te - vaśagaḥ - syāṁ - nitya - icchā - hi - me - rājñaḥ
na (no) tvahaṁ (I) kāmayiṣye (desire) na (not) ca (and) te (your) vaśagaḥ (under control) syāṁ (be) nitya (constant) icchā (desire) hi (indeed) me (my) rājñaḥ (for king)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṁ | tvahaṁ | compound | dvandva · "tva + ahaṁ" | you and I |
| kāmayiṣye | kāmayiṣye | verb | √kām · liṣṭā-dhvāra · first | I will desire |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| te | te | pronoun | dative · singular | to you |
| vaśagaḥ | vaśagaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | under your control |
| syāṁ | syāṁ | verb | √as · liṅ-optative · first | I may be |
| nitya | nitya | indeclinable | — | always |
| icchā | icchā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | wish |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | for |
| me | me | pronoun | genitive · singular | of me |
| rājñaḥ | rājñaḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the king |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra can be interpreted through the lens of non-duality, where the desire to be a king symbolizes the innate longing for self-realization and unity with the ultimate reality, Brahman. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras, particularly in the discussion of Brahman as the ultimate cause and essence of all existence, resonates with the sentiment of this verse. The phrase 'nityamicchā hi me rājñaḥ' (for I always have the desire to be a king) can be seen as a metaphor for the eternal and unchanging nature of the Self (Ātman), which is ultimately one with Brahman. This desire is not for external power but an expression of the inherent tendency of the Ātman to realize its true nature, underscoring the brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava perspective views the verse as an expression of the jīva's (individual soul) innate desire for liberation and union with Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya's concept of 'prapatti' or surrender to the Lord can be related to the sentiment in this verse, where the desire to be a king is transformed into a desire to be under the Lord's grace. However, unlike the Advaita interpretation, the Vaiṣṇava view maintains a real distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, emphasizing a loving and devotional relationship. The verse can be seen as a plea for the Lord's mercy, acknowledging that true sovereignty lies with Him, and the jīva's desire for independence is actually a call for guidance and protection under His grace.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, when viewed through the lens of Neo-Vedānta, highlights the universal quest for freedom and self-actualization. Swami Vivekānanda's emphasis on the potential divinity of man and the importance of self-realization resonates with the desire expressed in the verse. The statement 'na tvahaṁ kāmayiṣye na ca te vaśagaḥ syāṁ' (I do not desire to be under your control, and I shall not be under your control) can be interpreted as a call for individual empowerment and autonomy, not in a selfish sense, but as a realization of one's true potential. S. Radhakrishnan's philosophical stance on the harmony of religions and the universal values of truth, non-violence, and self-control can also be connected to this verse, as it underscores the importance of personal integrity and the pursuit of one's highest ideals, mirroring the desire to be a king as a metaphor for achieving one's full human potential.