na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ nāpi gajamatiśayeṭ । na coryā na dhanagāro nāyaṃ vāntḥ kathaṃcana ॥
“I do not desire a kingdom, nor superiority over an elephant, I do not covet wealth, nor do I want to vomit this food.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - nāpi - gajam - atiśayeṭ - na - coryā - na - dhana - gāro - nāyaṃ - vāntḥ - kathaṃcana
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) nāpi (nor) gajam (elephant) atiśayeṭ (exceedingly),na (not) coryā (thief) na (nor) dhana-gāro (treasurer) nāyaṃ (this) vāntḥ (vomit) kathaṃcana (in any way)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor |
| gajam | gajam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | elephant |
| atiśayeṭ | atiśayeṭ | verb | √atiśī · liṅ-optative · first | may I excel |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| coryā | coryā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | thief |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | nor |
| dhana-gāro | dhanagāro | compound | karmadhāraya · "dhanam gacchati" | one who goes after wealth |
| nāyaṃ | nāyaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | I |
| vāntḥ | vānṭḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | vomit |
| kathaṃcana | kathaṃcana | indeclinable | — | in any way |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra is elucidated by Śaṅkarācārya's non-dual perspective, underscoring the renunciation of desires for worldly possessions and dominance. Śaṅkarācārya would interpret the rejection of kingdom, superiority over an elephant, and wealth as a metaphor for the jīva's detachment from the ephemeral world, echoing the Bhagavad Gītā's premise of vairāgya (detachment). The phrase 'nor do I want to vomit this food' can be seen as a symbol for the rejection of the cycle of consumption and rebirth, pointing towards the ultimate reality of Brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is realized to be one with the universal self (Brahman). This verse, through Śaṅkarācārya's lens, becomes a teaching on the path to self-realization and liberation from the binds of saṃsāra.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, particularly through the perspective of Rāmānujācārya, this verse can be seen as an expression of bhakti (devotion) and prapatti (surrender). The speaker's renunciation of worldly desires is akin to the Vaiṣṇava concept of 'atyantika tirodhāna' - complete surrender to the will of the Lord. The desire for neither kingdom nor wealth reflects a heart free from worldly attachments, making room for an unadulterated devotion to the divine. The image of not wanting to vomit the food can symbolize the acceptance and gratitude for the sustenance provided by the divine, underscoring the relationship of dependence and grace between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya's emphasis on bhakti and the path of surrender finds resonance in this verse, highlighting the way to approach the divine with a heart purified of egoistic desires.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, proponents of Neo-Vedānta, would interpret this verse in the light of universal principles applicable to modern life. The rejection of desires for power and wealth can be seen as a call to simplicity and a life of purpose beyond material achievements. Vivekānanda, in his lectures on practical Vedānta, often emphasized the importance of living a life free from the binds of worldly desires, focusing instead on the development of the inner self and service to humanity. The image of not wanting to vomit the food could symbolize a healthy balance in life, where one appreciates and utilizes the resources available without excess or attachment. Rādhākrishnan, with his philosophical emphasis on the harmony between the individual and the universal, would see this verse as an inspiration for living a balanced life, where personal aspirations are aligned with the greater good, reflecting the universal values of compassion, detachment, and service.