Na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ nāpi mohane vittam | Nācāpi gṛhe gop tā syāṃ nā vā'pi vṛthā vacaḥ
“I do not desire a kingdom, nor wealth for the purpose of allurement, nor to be a guardian in a household, nor to utter useless words.”
Structure
Na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - nāpi - mohane - vittam - Nācāpi - gṛhe - gop tā - syāṃ - nā - vā'pi - vṛthā - vacaḥ
Ahaṃ (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na api (not also) vittam (wealth) mohane (for the sake of captivating or enthralling)na api (not also) aham (I) syāṃ (be) gop tā (guardian or protector) gṛhe (at home)na vā (not or) api (also) vacaḥ (speech) vṛthā (in vain)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Na | Na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| tvahaṃ | Tvaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | Kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | Rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom, sovereignty |
| nāpi | Nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor, not at all |
| mohane | Mohane | noun | locative · singular · masculine | for the sake of beguiling, to beguile |
| vittam | Vittam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | wealth |
| Nācāpi | Nācāpi | indeclinable | — | nor, not at all |
| gṛhe | Gṛhe | noun | locative · singular · masculine | at home |
| gop tā | Gop tā | compound | karmadhāraya · "gopena tā" | a cowherd's family or cowherd's wife |
| syāṃ | Syāṃ | verb | √as · liṅ-optative · first | I may be |
| nā | Nā | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| vā'pi | Vā'pi | indeclinable | — | or even |
| vṛthā | Vṛthā | indeclinable | — | in vain, uselessly |
| vacaḥ | Vacaḥ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | speech, word |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality by negating the desires for external manifestations of power and wealth. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond human desires and earthly possessions. In his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, Shankara reasons that the knowledge of Brahman leads to the abandonment of worldly desires, as expressed in this verse. The rejection of 'rājyaṃ' (kingdom), 'vittam' (wealth), and 'gṛhe gop tā' (guardianship in a household) signifies the renunciation of egoistic tendencies, leading to the realization of the brahman-ātman identity. This verse, in essence, points to the futility of worldly pursuits and the importance of seeking the ultimate truth, Brahman, which is the essence of non-dualistic philosophy.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as an expression of detachment, a fundamental aspect of bhakti. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the importance of dedicating one's actions to Īśvara, rather than being driven by personal desires. The rejection of 'mohane vittam' (wealth for allurement) and 'vṛthā vacaḥ' (useless words) in this verse highlights the need to focus on the divine, rather than worldly temptations. The verse encourages the devotee to cultivate a sense of inner detachment, recognizing that true fulfillment lies in the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord), rather than in external possessions or positions of power.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a universal message of simplicity and selflessness, relevant to contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on practical Vedānta, emphasized the importance of renouncing selfish desires and cultivating a sense of service to others. The rejection of 'rājyaṃ' and 'vittam' in this verse can be seen as a call to re-evaluate one's priorities, recognizing that true fulfillment lies in personal growth and contributions to the greater good, rather than in the accumulation of wealth or power. As S. Radhakrishnan noted, the verse encourages individuals to focus on the development of their inner selves, rather than being driven by external desires, thereby promoting a more authentic and meaningful way of living.