na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mohaṃ na vai raṇe । nāhaṃ dravyaāya dravyeṣu nāsti mama kadaacana ॥
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I desire wealth, nor do I have attachment for battle, I never have covetousness for wealth in wealth.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mohaṃ - na - vai - raṇe - nāhaṃ - dravyaāya - dravyeṣu - nāsti - mama - kadaacana
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (not) ca (and) mohaṃ (attachment) na (not) vai (indeed) raṇe (in battle)nāhaṃ (not I) dravyaāya (for wealth) dravyeṣu (in wealth) nāsti (there is not) mama (my) kadaacana (ever)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṁ | compound | dvandva · "tva + ahaṁ" | you and I, we |
| 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 |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed, truly |
| raṇe | raṇe | noun | locative · singular · neuter | in battle, in war |
| nāhaṃ | nāhaṁ | compound | dvandva · "na + ahaṁ" | I not, nor I |
| dravyaāya | dravyaāya | noun | dative · singular · masculine | wealth, riches |
| dravyeṣu | dravyeṣu | noun | locative plural · plural · masculine | in wealth, in riches |
| nāsti | nāsti | verb | √as · laṭ-present · third | there is not, does not exist |
| mama | mama | pronoun | possessive · singular · masculine | my, of me |
| kadaacana | kadaacana | indeclinable | — | ever, at any time |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, pointing towards the brahman-ātman identity. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtras, emphasizes the renunciation of desires as a means to realize this identity. The verse's rejection of kingdom, wealth, and attachment to battle illustrates the futility of worldly pursuits, directing the seeker towards the ultimate reality. Śaṅkara's reasoning on similar passages, such as the Brihadāranyaka Upaniṣad, highlights the necessity of transcending worldly desires to attain the knowledge of the Self. This verse, in the context of the Pañcatantra, serves as a practical illustration of the philosophical principles outlined in the Upaniṣads, guiding the reader towards the realization of the non-dual Self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as exemplified by Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, interprets this verse through the lens of bhakti, or devotion. The rejection of worldly desires is seen as a means to cultivate devotion to Īśvara, the personal deity. Rāmānuja, in his Śrībhāṣya, emphasizes the importance of prapatti, or self-surrender, as a means to attain the grace of Īśvara. This verse, in this context, illustrates the necessity of renouncing personal desires and attachments to fully surrender to the divine. The relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara is one of dependence and devotion, with the jīva seeking refuge in Īśvara. This verse serves as a reminder of the ultimate goal of human existence: to attain the loving service of the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture on 'The Ideal of Karma-Yoga,' emphasizes the importance of renouncing personal desires and attachments as a means to achieve spiritual growth. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, serves as a reminder of the need to cultivate detachment and selflessness in our daily lives. Vivekānanda's emphasis on the universal principles of Vedānta, applicable to all humanity regardless of creed or nationality, is reflected in this verse's rejection of worldly desires. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the Upaniṣads, highlights the importance of realizing the ultimate reality as a means to achieve world peace and harmony. This verse, in its emphasis on the futility of worldly pursuits, directs us towards the universal and practical application of spiritual principles in our everyday lives, promoting a sense of inner peace and fulfillment.