na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājā na ca devari ko 'pi na|
“I do not desire to be a king, nor a god, nor anybody else.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājā - na - ca - devari - koḥ - api - na
tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) na (not) rājā (a king) na (nor) ca (also) devari (a god) koḥ (who) api (any) na (not)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājā | rājā | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | king |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| devari | devārī | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | chief wife |
| ko | kaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | also, too |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dualistic perspective of ultimate reality, where the distinctions between the individual self (jīva) and the supreme reality (Brahman) are transcended. In his commentary on the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Shankara emphasizes the concept of 'neti neti' (not this, not that), which aligns with the sentiment of this verse, indicating that true freedom lies in relinquishing all desires, including those for mundane or divine status. The rejection of desires to be a king or a god signifies the detachment necessary for realizing the identity of the Individual Self (ātman) with the Universal Self (Brahman). Shankara's reasoning, as seen in his exposition of the Mahavakya 'Tat tvam asi' (That thou art), supports the idea that liberation involves recognizing one's true nature beyond all external designations, including royal or divine.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as an expression of the jīva's innate longing for liberation from the cycle of birth and death, which is only possible through devotion to Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, highlights the importance of surrendering one's desires and ego to the will of the Lord, which is echoed in this verse's rejection of personal ambitions for kingship or divinity. The statement can be interpreted as a declaration of detachment from worldly aspirations, focusing instead on the pursuit of spiritual union with the divine. For Madhvācārya, such a stance would reflect the jīva's recognition of its subservience to and dependence on Īśvara, underscoring the devotional path to moksha (liberation).
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse resonates with the universal and practical teachings of Neo-Vedānta, emphasizing the importance of inner fulfillment over external achievements. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often stressed the need for individuals to look beyond worldly status and material successes to find true happiness and peace. He advocated for a life of service, self-control, and meditation, which aligns with the sentiment of renouncing desires for kingship or godhood. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan interpreted such verses as urging individuals to seek the deeper, universal Self within, rather than getting entangled in ephemeral external identities or desires. This perspective makes the verse highly relevant to contemporary life, where the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment often leads to dissatisfaction, highlighting the need for a shift in values towards the inner, spiritual dimension of human existence.