na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ nāpi mohaṃ na vittaśrīḥ। na ca svarge na puṇyeṣu kāmayedvimadāṃ vṛthā॥
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I desire wealth or luxury, nor do I desire heaven or pious rewards, but only to be free from pointless arrogance.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - nāpi - mohaṃ - na - vittaśrīḥ - na - ca - svarge - na - puṇyeṣu - kāmayet - vimadāṃ - vṛthā
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) nāpi (nor) mohaṃ (delusion) na (nor) vittaśrīḥ (wealth and prosperity)na (not) ca (and) svarge (in heaven) na (nor) puṇyeṣu (in [good] deeds) kāmayet (one should desire) vimadāṃ (proud folly) vṛthā (in vain)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvaham | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor |
| mohaṃ | moham | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | delusion |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vittaśrīḥ | vittaśrīḥ | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | wealth and prosperity |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| svarge | svarge | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in heaven |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| puṇyeṣu | puṇyeṣu | noun | locative · plural · masculine | in meritorious actions |
| kāmayet | kāmayet | verb | √kām · liṅ-optative · third | one should desire |
| vimadāṃ | vimadāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | intoxication |
| vṛthā | vṛthā | indeclinable | — | in vain |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse resonates deeply with the non-dual philosophy of Advaita Vedānta. The speaker's rejection of worldly desires and aspirations, including rājya (kingdom), mohaṃ (luxury), vittaśrīḥ (wealth), svarge (heaven), and puṇyeṣu (pious rewards), underscores the impermanence and fleeting nature of these earthly pursuits. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond human conception and duality. The verse points to the realization that true freedom lies in transcending these desires and identifying with the Supreme Self, the Brahman. This echoes Śaṅkara's commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, where he explains that the Self is beyond human desires and that one must realize their true nature to achieve liberation. The verse serves as a reminder to seek the eternal and unchanging reality, rather than being entangled in ephemeral worldly pursuits.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be seen as a expression of the devotee's rejection of worldly attachments and the cultivation of a selfless love for the Supreme Lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of developing a sense of detachment from worldly possessions and desires, as they are obstacles to the attainment of true devotion. Similarly, this verse highlights the futility of seeking happiness in worldly pursuits, and instead, points to the cultivation of humility and the recognition of one's true position as a servant of the Lord. Madhvācārya, in his Anuvyākhyāna, also emphasizes the importance of humility and the rejection of worldly desires as a means to attain the Lord's grace. This verse thus serves as a reminder to the devotee to cultivate a spirit of selflessness and humility in their pursuit of the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has profound implications for contemporary life, as reflected in the writings and lectures of Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan. Vivekānanda, in his lecture on 'The Ideal of Karma Yoga', emphasizes the importance of cultivating a sense of detachment and non-attachment to worldly pursuits, as a means to achieve true freedom and self-realization. Similarly, Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Idealist View of Life', highlights the importance of recognizing the limitations of worldly desires and the need to cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and meaning. This verse serves as a reminder to individuals to re-evaluate their priorities and aspirations, and to seek a more profound and lasting sense of fulfillment, one that is rooted in a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. By letting go of our egoistic tendencies and desires, we can cultivate a sense of inner peace and contentment, and contribute to the greater good of society.