na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na vittaṃ na parastrīyāṃ | na cedam api niṣedhyam nāhaṃ vande na garjayam ॥ २८५ ॥
“I do not desire kingdom, wealth, or another's wife; I neither prohibit this nor do I praise or revile.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - vittaṃ - na - parastrīyāṃ - na - cet - idam - api - niṣedhyam - nāhaṃ - vande - na - garjayam
ahaṃ (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) na (nor) vittaṃ (wealth) na (nor) parastrīyāṃ (other's wife) na (not) cet (if) api (also) idam (this) niṣedhyam (should be forbidden) nāhaṃ (not I) vande (praise) na (nor) garjayam (roar)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | I, indeed |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kā · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom, sovereignty |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| vittaṃ | vittaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | wealth, riches |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| parastrīyāṃ | parastrīyāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | another's wife |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| cet | cet | indeclinable | — | if, whether |
| idam | idam | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | this |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, even |
| niṣedhyam | niṣedhyam | verb | √niṣidh · lat-accusative infinitive | to be prohibited |
| nāhaṃ | nāhaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | I do not |
| vande | vande | verb | √vand · laṭ-present · first | I praise, I salute |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| garjayam | garjayam | verb | √garj · liṅ-optative · first | I may roar, I may thunder |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the rejection of desires for kingdom, wealth, and another's wife can be seen as a practical manifestation of the non-dualistic perspective. According to Shankara, such detachment is a crucial step towards realizing the ultimate truth of Brahman-ātman identity. By renouncing external attachments, the individual self (jīva) can more clearly discern its inherent nature as the universal Self (Brahman). Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasutras, particularly his discussion on the nature of avidyā (ignorance) and its role in perpetuating desires, indirectly illuminates this verse. The statement 'I neither prohibit this nor do I praise or revile' underscores the neutrality and equanimity that characterize the liberated state, where the distinctions and dualities of the mundane world are transcended. This neutrality is akin to the advaitic notion of 'tattvamasi' (thou art that), where the individual and the universal are recognized as one, beyond the dichotomies of praise and blame.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse can be interpreted through the lens of Vaiṣṇava theology as an expression of the jīva's (individual soul) relationship with Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Gītā, emphasizes the importance of developing a selfless love for God, untainted by desires for material possessions or worldly status. The rejection of kingdom, wealth, and another's wife in this verse signifies a detachment that is preliminary to the cultivation of such love. The statement 'I neither prohibit this nor do I praise or revile' can be seen as an expression of the jīva's recognition of the Lord's sovereignty, where all actions and their consequences are under God's jurisdiction, and the jīva's role is merely to follow the path of devotion (bhakti) without judgment. This aligns with Rāmānujācārya's view of the jīva as a servant of the Lord, emphasizing devotion as the primary means to spiritual liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers universal and practical wisdom that resonates with contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of self-control and detachment as the foundation for true freedom and happiness. The rejection of excessive desires for external gratifications, as expressed in this verse, can be seen as a call to inner fulfillment and the realization of one's higher potential. Vivekānanda taught that the key to achieving this state lies in cultivating a strong, self-disciplined character, unswayed by the temptations of worldly life. The neutrality expressed in 'I neither prohibit this nor do I praise or revile' can be interpreted as a modern stance of non-judgmental acceptance, encouraging individuals to focus on their personal growth and spiritual development rather than getting entangled in criticisms or praises of others. This approach aligns with Radhakrishnan's emphasis on the synthesis of the spiritual and the worldly, suggesting that spiritual growth is not about escaping the world but about engaging with it from a higher level of consciousness.