na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mohaṃ na vittam | mere manassadā buddhiryathārthaṃ tvāṃ paśyataḥ ||
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I desire wealth, nor do I desire worldly delights; I only wish for the wisdom to see you as you truly are.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mohaṃ - na - vittam | mere - manas - sadā - buddhir - yathārthaṃ - tvāṃ - paśyataḥ
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (not) ca (and) mohaṃ (delusion) na (not) vittam (wealth)mere (my) manas (mind) sadā (always) buddhir (intellect)yathārthaṃ (fact) tvāṃ (you) paśyataḥ (seeing)
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 |
| mohaṃ | mohaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | delusion |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vittam | vittam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | wealth |
| mere | mere | noun | possessive · singular · masculine | my |
| manas | manas | noun | genitive · singular · neuter | mind |
| sadā | sadā | indeclinable | — | always |
| buddhir | buddhir | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | intellect |
| yathārthaṃ | yathārthaṃ | indeclinable | — | in accordance with reality |
| tvāṃ | tvāṃ | pronoun | accusative · singular | you |
| paśyataḥ | paśyataḥ | verb | √paś · laṭ-present · second | you see |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the pursuit of true knowledge, where the seeker desires to understand the ultimate reality as it is, unshrouded by the veils of ignorance. According to Shankara, the rejection of 'rājyaṃ', 'mohaṃ', and 'vittam' signifies the renunciation of worldly attachments, which are ephemeral and illusory. The true seeker yearns for 'buddhiryathārthaṃ tvāṃ paśyataḥ', the wisdom to perceive Brahman as it truly is. This aligns with Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, where he emphasizes the importance of realizing the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This verse, by expressing a desire to see the true nature of reality, points towards the non-dualistic understanding that the ultimate reality is not something external but the very essence of one's being, underscoring the brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be seen as an expression of the devotee's longing for a pure and unadulterated relationship with the Lord (Īśvara). The rejection of 'rājyaṃ', 'mohaṃ', and 'vittam' symbolizes the detachment from worldly desires and the sole focus on achieving the grace of the Lord. Ramanuja, in his interpretation of the Brahma Sutras, highlights the importance of 'bhakti' or devotion as a means to realize the true nature of the self and its relationship with God. This verse, in desiring the wisdom to see the Lord as He truly is, reflects the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the personal relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (God), aiming towards a loving and devoted understanding of the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of Vedantic principles in everyday life. This verse can be seen as a call to introspection and self-awareness, where the individual seeks to understand the true nature of reality and their place within it. Vivekananda's concept of 'self-realization' aligns with the desire expressed in the verse for 'buddhiryathārthaṃ tvāṃ paśyataḥ', as it advocates for the pursuit of knowledge that is universal and applicable to all human beings. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, underscored the importance of realizing the human potential and the universal values that unite humanity. This verse, by its emphasis on seeking true wisdom, encourages individuals to look beyond the superficial and to strive for a deeper understanding of themselves and the world, resonating with the universal and practical approaches of Neo-Vedānta.