na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na vittaṃ nāpi vijñānam । ahaṃ kāmaye tadecaṃ yena rājyaṃ bhavatyasah .
“I do not desire kingdom, nor wealth, nor knowledge; I desire only that one thing by which the kingdom of this (son) may come about.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - vittaṃ - nāpi - vijñānam - ahaṃ - kāmaye - tad - ekaṃ - yena - rājyaṃ - bhavaty - asah
ahaṃ (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) na (not) vittaṃ (wealth) nāpi (nor) vijñānam (knowledge)ahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) tad (that) ekaṃ (one thing) yena (by which) rājyaṃ (kingdom) bhavati (becomes) asah (of him)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | compound | dvandva · "tva + ahaṃ" | you and I |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | |
| rājyaṃ | rājyam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vittạṃ | vittam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | wealth |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor |
| vijñānam | vijñānam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | wisdom |
| ahaṃ | ahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | I |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| tad | tad | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | that |
| ekaṃ | ekaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | one thing |
| yena | yena | indeclinable | — | by which |
| rājyaṃ | rājyam | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| bhavaty | bhavaty | verb | √bhu · laṭ-present · third | |
| asah | asah | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the speaker's rejection of desires for kingdom, wealth, and knowledge indicates a detachment from the phenomenal world, aligning with the non-dual perspective of Advaita Vedānta. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of renouncing worldly desires to realize the ultimate reality, Brahman. This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity by suggesting that the true desire is not for external acquisitions but for the realization of one's true nature. The phrase 'yena rājyaṃ bhavatyasah' can be seen as a metaphor for the Self, which, when realized, brings about a kingdom of inner peace and freedom, unbound by the limitations of the material world. Śaṅkarācārya would likely interpret this as an illustration of the ultimate goal of human existence: to discover the unity of the individual self (ātman) with the universal Self (Brahman).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The verse highlights the devotional path, where the ultimate desire is not for personal gain but for the well-being of the beloved, in this context, the 'son' or the jīva. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, emphasizes the loving relationship between the jīva and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord), suggesting that true happiness and fulfillment come from serving and pleasing the Lord. This verse can be seen as an expression of selfless love, where the speaker's desire is not for personal achievements but for the prosperity and happiness of the one they care about, reflecting the Vaiṣṇava ideal of serving the Lord and His creation with devotion. The 'rājyaṃ' or kingdom, in this interpretation, symbolizes the realm of divine grace and peace that comes from a life dedicated to serving and loving the Supreme.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound message relevant to contemporary life, emphasizing the importance of selfless desires and the well-being of others. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often spoke about the universal principles of Vedānta, including the idea that true strength and happiness come from living a life of service and renunciation of selfish desires. The speaker's rejection of desires for personal gain in favor of the prosperity of the 'son' can be seen as a call to prioritize collective well-being and the greater good. Rādhākrishnan, expanding on this idea, might interpret the verse as a reminder of the interconnectedness of human existence, where individual fulfillment is deeply linked to the happiness and prosperity of those around us, suggesting a path of compassionate action and selfless service as the key to achieving true fulfillment and peace in life.