na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ nāpi dāridryamiṣyate । mama sādh u madh uṃ pāna udakaṃ tena rocate ॥
“I do not desire a kingdom, nor do I wish for poverty; sweet water as drink satisfies me.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - nāpi - dāridrya - iṣyate - mama - sādh u - madh uṃ - pāna - udakaṃ - tena - rocate
na (no) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)nāpi (nor) dāridrya (poverty) iṣyate (is desired by me)mama (my) sādh u (honey) madh uṃ (or sweet liquor made from it) pāna (drinking) udakaṃ (water) tena (with that) rocate (is pleasing)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor |
| dāridrya | dāridrya | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | poverty |
| iṣyate | iṣyate | verb | √iṣ · laṭ-present · third | is desired |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | my |
| sādh u | sādhu | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | good |
| madh uṃ | madhūṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | honey |
| pāna | pāna | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | drinking |
| udakaṃ | udakaṁ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | water |
| tena | tena | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with that |
| rocate | rocate | verb | √ruc · laṭ-present · third | it pleases |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse exemplifies the non-dual nature of reality, as it transcends the dichotomy of rājya (kingdom) and dāridrya (poverty). The speaker's satisfaction with 'sweet water as drink' signifies the ultimate contentment that arises from realizing one's true nature, which is identical with Brahman. As Shankara notes in his Upadeśasāhasrī, the individual self (jīva) is not satisfied by external objects, but by the realization of its own true nature. This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self recognizes its oneness with the ultimate reality, unencumbered by worldly desires. Shankara's commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad (2.1.1) further reinforces this idea, stating that the realization of one's true nature is the ultimate goal of human existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse can be seen as an expression of the jīva's (individual self) longing for a state of being that is free from the dualities of worldly life. The speaker's rejection of both rājya and dāridrya signifies a desire to transcend the limitations of the material world and seek a higher reality. In his Śrī Bhāṣya, Rāmānujācārya notes that the individual self is inherently dependent on Īśvara (the Supreme Being) and that true satisfaction can only be attained through devotion to and love for the Divine. This verse can be seen as an expression of the jīva's instinctual desire to return to its natural state of being, which is one of devotion and surrender to the will of Īśvara. The 'sweet water as drink' may be interpreted as a metaphor for the nectar of devotion, which quenches the thirst of the soul.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse offers a profound message for modern times, where individuals are often driven by desires for material success and worldly status. The speaker's contentment with 'sweet water as drink' serves as a reminder that true fulfillment arises from within, and that external possessions or achievements are mere fleeting pleasures. As Swami Vivekānanda notes in his lectures on 'Practical Vedānta', the key to true happiness lies in cultivating a sense of inner detachment and renunciation, while still engaging with the world. This verse can be seen as an invitation to re-evaluate our priorities and seek a more meaningful and lasting sense of satisfaction, one that is rooted in a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. By embracing a simpler, more authentic way of living, we may discover that the 'sweet water' of inner peace and contentment is the greatest treasure of all.