na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājā na ca devari riṣyate
“A king does not long for a minister, nor does a wife for a husband.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājā - na - ca - devari - riṣyate
tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) na (not) rājā (king) na (nor) ca (and) devari (queen) riṣyate (is harmed)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvāhaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| devari | devārī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | goddess / queen |
| riṣyate | riṣyate | verb | √riṣ · laṭ-present · third | is injured / suffers |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājā na ca devari riṣyate', underscores the non-dual nature of reality by illuminating the intrinsic harmony that exists outside the realm of desire and expectation. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, particularly his discussion on the concept of 'vairagya' or detachment, highlights the idea that true fulfillment comes from understanding one's essential nature, which is not bound by worldly relationships or desires. In this context, the verse suggests that just as a king does not yearn for a minister, nor a wife for a husband, the ultimate reality (Brahman) does not depend on or desire anything external to itself, pointing towards the brahman-ātman identity where the individual self recognizes its non-dual nature with the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse through the lens of bhakti, emphasizing the devotional relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Brahma Sutras, particularly his discussion on the 'aprāptikāritva' or the impossibility of achieving liberation through one's own efforts, resonates with the idea presented in this verse. The absence of desire for external validation (like a king needing a minister or a wife needing a husband) reflects the self-sufficiency of the divine and the surrender of the jīva to Īśvara's will. This surrender is not out of need but out of love and devotion, highlighting the interpersonal and dependent relationship between the devotee and the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound insight into the nature of desire and fulfillment, applicable to modern life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on 'The Ideal of a Universal Religion', emphasized the importance of recognizing and transcending personal desires to achieve a state of inner peace and unity with the universe. The verse 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājā na ca devari riṣyate' can be seen as a call to transcend external dependencies for happiness, instead focusing on the cultivation of inner strength and self-sufficiency. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, also touches upon the theme of desire and liberation, suggesting that true freedom lies in understanding one's own nature and not being bound by external expectations, thereby bringing home the universal and practical relevance of this ancient wisdom to contemporary life.