na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na svargo nāpi mokṣaḥ । kāmaye cedaṃ astveta-n-nagaraṃ gṛhās tathā . 59 .
“I do not desire a kingdom, nor heaven, nor liberation; I desire that this city and these houses may exist.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - svargo - nāpi - mokṣaḥ - | kāmaye - cedaṃ - astv - eta - nāgarī - gṛhās - tathā
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) na (not) svargo (heaven) nāpi (nor) mokṣaḥ (liberation) | cedaṃ (this) nāgarī (city) gṛhās (home) tathā (and) astv (let it be) kāmaye (I desire)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tva-haṃ | compound | dvandva · "tva + haṃ" | you-I (first person singular and second-person singular) |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| svargo | svargo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | heaven |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor |
| mokṣaḥ | mokṣaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | liberation |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| cedaṃ | c-edaṃ | compound | karmadhāraya · "c + idaṃ" | this (house) |
| astv | astv | indeclinable | — | let it be |
| eta | eta | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | town |
| nāgarī | nāgarī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | of the town |
| gṛhās | gṛhās | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | houses |
| tathā | tathā | indeclinable | — | thus |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dualistic perspective of Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing the futility of desiring external attainments such as kingdoms, heavens, or even liberation, as these are ephemeral and bound by the limitations of the phenomenal world. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, highlights the concept of 'ananda' or bliss as the inherent nature of Brahman, suggesting that true fulfillment lies not in external acquisitions but in the realization of the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This verse, in its expression of desire for the simple existence of the city and houses, points towards the acceptance and appreciation of the world as it is, unencumbered by the burdens of egoistic desires for grandeur or spiritual superiority, thus aligning with the Advaitic notion of embracing the world as a manifestation of Brahman. Through this lens, the verse teaches us to find contentment in the present, recognizing the divine in all aspects of life, and ultimately, to seek fulfillment in the understanding and experience of the non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as an expression of selfless devotion, where the desire for the preservation and prosperity of the city and its inhabitants reflects a broader longing for the well-being of all creation. Ramanuja's perspective on such verses would likely emphasize the importance of compassion and service to others as a means of worshiping God, seeing in every being a spark of the divine. The desire expressed here is not for personal gain or spiritual liberation but for the common good, embodying the Vaiṣṇava ideal of considering the welfare of all living beings as one's own. This reading aligns with the concept of 'sarvabhūta hita' or the well-wisher of all living beings, an attribute of the Supreme Lord in Vaiṣṇava theology. Through this verse, the tradition encourages devotees to cultivate a sense of responsibility and care for the world, reflecting the loving and protective nature of Īśvara towards His creation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): In the context of contemporary life, this verse can be seen as a powerful message of simplicity, contentment, and social responsibility. Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of service to humanity as a means of realizing one's own divinity. He would likely interpret this verse as an endorsement of living a simple, unassuming life dedicated to the service of others, rather than pursuing grand ideals of personal achievement or spiritual elitism. The focus on the well-being of the community, as expressed in the desire for the city and its homes to thrive, resonates with Vivekananda's vision of a society where individuals work together for the common good, recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every human being. This reading promotes a universal and practical application of the verse, encouraging individuals to find meaning and fulfillment in contributing to the betterment of their communities, and in doing so, to experience a profound sense of connection and purpose.