na tvahaṁ kāmaye rājyaṁ na svārājyaṁ na parājayaṁ । vāsudevasutaṁ dṛṣṭvā mama rājyena kutaḥ sukham ॥
“I do not desire kingdom, nor self-rule, nor victory over others; having seen the son of Vasudeva, what happiness can I derive from ruling?”
Structure
na - tvahaṁ - kāmaye - rājyaṁ - na - svārājyaṁ - na - parājayaṁ - vāsudeva-sutaṁ - dṛṣṭvā - mama - rājyena - kutaḥ - sukham
ahaṁ (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṁ (kingdom) na (nor) svārājyaṁ (self-rule) na (nor) parājayaṁ (defeat of others)vāsudeva-sutaṁ (son of Vasudeva) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) mama (my) rājyena (with kingdom) kutaḥ (where) sukham (happiness)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṁ | tvahaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you (used in addressing) |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṁ | rājyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| svārājyaṁ | svārājyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | self-rule, independence |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| parājayaṁ | parājayaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | conquest over others |
| vāsudeva-sutaṁ | vāsudeva-sutaṁ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "vāsudevasya sutaḥ" | son of Vāsudeva |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | indeclinable | — | having seen |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive · singular | my |
| rājyena | rājyena | noun | instrumental · singular · neuter | with my kingdom |
| kutaḥ | kutaḥ | indeclinable | — | whence |
| sukham | sukham | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | happiness |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of ultimate reality, where the distinctions between ruler, ruled, and the act of ruling are transcended. The speaker's disinterest in kingdom, self-rule, or victory over others implies a detachment from worldly affairs, mirroring the detachment advocated by Śaṅkara in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā. When the speaker says, 'having seen the son of Vasudeva,' it can be interpreted as an encounter with the divine, leading to the realization that true happiness and fulfillment do not lie in external achievements but in understanding one's true nature as ātman, which is essentially the same as Brahman. This realization aligns with Śaṅkara's emphasis on the identity of ātman and Brahman, highlighting that the ultimate goal is not external dominion but the internal realization of non-duality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as an expression of devotion and surrender. The 'son of Vasudeva' refers to Krishna, the divine incarnation. The speaker's statement reflects a recognition of the divine presence and an understanding that true happiness comes not from worldly power or achievements but from devotion to and grace of the divine. Rāmānujācārya's concept of prapatti, or surrender, is relevant here, where the individual surrenders their ego and desires to the divine will, acknowledging the dependence of the jīva (individual self) on Īśvara (the Lord). This surrender leads to a state where one finds happiness not in worldly success but in the service and love of the divine, underscoring the personal relationship between the devotee and the deity.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda would likely interpret this verse as a call to look beyond external achievements for happiness and fulfillment. In his lectures and writings, Vivekānanda emphasized the importance of realizing one's inner potential and the universal principles that unite humanity. The verse's focus on the futility of seeking happiness in kingdom, self-rule, or victory over others resonates with Vivekānanda's message of service to others as the path to true happiness and self-realization. Moreover, S. Radhakrishnan's philosophical stance on the integration of the individual with the universal, finding one's place in the world through a broader understanding of human experience, is also reflected in this verse. It points to a universal and practical application where one's true fulfillment comes from contributing positively to the world, rather than seeking power or dominion over it.