na tvahaṁ kāmaye rājyaṁ na svargo nāpi mokṣaḥ । mama tvam priyatamā bhāryā eṣa me varīṣṭhā kāmnā ॥
“I do not desire kingdom, nor heaven, nor liberation; you are my most beloved wife, this is my greatest desire.”
Structure
na - tvahaṁ - kāmaye - rājyaṁ - na - svargo - nāpi - mokṣaḥ - mama - tvam - priyatamā - bhāryā - eṣa - me - varīṣṭhā - kāmnā
na (not) tvahaṁ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṁ (kingdom) - na (not) svargo (heaven) nāpi (nor) mokṣaḥ (liberation)mama (my) tvam (you) priyatamā (most beloved) bhāryā (wife) - eṣa (this) me (to me) varīṣṭhā (greatest) kāmnā (desire) -
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| tvahaṁ | tvahaṁ | compound | dvandva · "tva + aham" | you and I, you or I (in this context: even you and I) |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṁ | rājyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom, dominion |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not, no |
| svargo | svargo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | heaven, paradise |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor, not even |
| mokṣaḥ | mokṣaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | liberation, release |
| mama | mama | indeclinable | — | of mine, my |
| tvam | tvam | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | you |
| priyatamā | priyatamā | adjective | — | most beloved |
| bhāryā | bhāryā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | wife |
| eṣa | eṣa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| me | me | indeclinable | — | to me, for me |
| varīṣṭhā | varīṣṭhā | adjective | — | most supreme, highest |
| kāmnā | kāmnā | noun | instrumental · singular · feminine | desire |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra offers a remarkable insight into the non-dual nature of reality, as it underscores the supremacy of love and devotion over material or spiritual aspirations. According to Shankara, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all desires, including the desire for liberation (mokṣa). In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara notes that the perfected individual (jīvanmukta) has transcended all desires, including the desire for kingdom, heaven, or liberation. This verse echoes that sentiment, suggesting that the speaker's greatest desire is not for external achievements but for the love of his beloved, symbolizing the union of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This non-dual reading highlights the verse's emphasis on the interior, subjective experience of love and devotion, pointing to the brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as an expression of the devotee's (jīva) all-consuming love for the divine (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) as a means to attain union with the divine. This verse illustrates the idea that even the desire for liberation (mokṣa) is secondary to the desire for the love of the divine. The speaker's assertion that his greatest desire is for his beloved (bhāryā) can be seen as a metaphor for the jīva's longing for Īśvara. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, would likely interpret this verse as a manifestation of the jīva's innate dependence on Īśvara, highlighting the asymmetry between the individual self and the divine. This devotional reading underscores the verse's emphasis on the personal, relational aspect of spiritual aspiration.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound insight into the human condition, highlighting the universal desire for love and connection. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of selfless love and devotion as a means to attain spiritual growth. This verse can be seen as a manifestation of that idea, where the speaker's love for his beloved becomes the central focus of his existence. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings, often highlights the need to balance the individual's spiritual aspirations with the demands of everyday life. This verse illustrates that balance, suggesting that even in the midst of worldly responsibilities, the desire for love and connection remains paramount. The verse's emphasis on the beloved as the speaker's greatest desire can be seen as a call to prioritize relationships and personal connections in our own lives, reflecting the universal and practical application of this ancient wisdom in contemporary life.