na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca rājyasya kāmanā / atha kāmaye yatprāpte na tvaṃ tena cintayā
“I do not desire kingship, nor do I have a desire for it; but I do wish that when it is attained, you should not grieve over it.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - rājyasya - kāmanā - atha - kāmaye - yat - prāpte - na - tvaṃ - tena - cintayā
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (not) ca (and) rājyasya (of kingdom) kāmanā (for the desire)atha (but) kāmaye (I desire) yat (what) prāpte (is obtained)na (not) tvaṃ (you) tena (by that) cintayā (with anxiety)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| rājyasya | rājyasya | noun | genitive · singular · neuter | of the kingdom |
| kāmanā | kāmanā | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | by desire |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| yat | yat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | what |
| prāpte | prāpte | verb | √āp · laṭ-present · third | has been obtained |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvaṃ | tvaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| tena | tena | pronoun | instrumental · singular | with it |
| cintayā | cintayā | noun | instrumental · singular · feminine | with worry |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra reveals a profound non-dual insight. When it says 'I do not desire kingship, nor do I have a desire for it,' it points to the renunciation of worldly desires, a key aspect of Advaita Vedānta. According to Shankara, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is untouched by human desires and dualities. This verse can be seen as a reflection of the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) realizes its true nature beyond the ephemeral attractions of worldly power. In his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, Shankara discusses the importance of transcending desires (vairagya) to realize the unity of all existence. This verse, in essence, encourages the seeker to look beyond fleeting worldly attainments and understand the timeless, desireless nature of the Self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be interpreted in the context of the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, discusses the concept of prapatti or total surrender to God. The verse 'I do not desire kingship, nor do I have a desire for it' can be seen as an expression of detachment from worldly ambitions, akin to the attitude of prapatti, where one surrenders all desires to the will of God. The latter part, 'but I do wish that when it is attained, you should not grieve over it,' suggests a concern for the well-being of others, reflecting the Vaiṣṇava ideal of loving service to God and all living beings. This aligns with Rāmānuja's emphasis on bhakti (devotion) as a means to achieve spiritual liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the universal and practical application of ancient Indian wisdom. This verse from the Pañcatantra can be seen as a message of selflessness and detachment. Vivekānanda, in his speech 'The Ideal of a Universal Religion,' talks about the importance of self-control and the renunciation of selfish desires for the greater good of humanity. The desire 'that when it is attained, you should not grieve over it' reflects a compassionate attitude, encouraging one to work towards the well-being of others without being driven by personal ambition. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, serves as a reminder of the importance of selfless service and the cultivation of a sense of unity and interconnectedness among all individuals, reflecting Vivekānanda's vision of a universal religion that promotes peace and harmony.