Na tvahaṁ kāmaye rājyaṁ na ca mohaṁ na vittaśrīḥ । Nāyaṁ tāvatprasannātmanā yāvad jñānaṁ na vī塔śokaḥ
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I desire wealth or worldly pleasures, and I am not so pleased as long as I do not attain knowledge and be free from grief.”
Structure
Na - tvahaṁ - kāmaye - rājyaṁ - na - ca - mohaṁ - na - vitta - śrīḥ . Nāyaṁ - tāvat - prasanna - ātmanā - yāvad - jñānaṁ - na - vīta - śokaḥ
Na (not) tvahaṁ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṁ (kingdom), na (not) ca (and) mohaṁ (delusion), na (not) vitta (wealth) śrīḥ (prosperity).Nāyaṁ (not this) tāvat (so long) ātmanā (by soul) prasanna (satisfied) yāvad (until) jñānaṁ (knowledge) na (not) vīta (free from) śokaḥ (sorrow)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Na | Na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṁ | tva-haṁ | compound | dvandva · "tva + haṁ" | you and I |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kam · laṭ-present · first | |
| rājyaṁ | rājyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mohaṁ | mohaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | delusion |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vitta | vitta | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | wealth |
| śrīḥ | śrīḥ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | prosperity |
| Nāyaṁ | Nāyaṁ | compound | dvandva · "na + ayam" | this not |
| tāvat | tāvat | indeclinable | — | until |
| prasanna | prasanna | verb | √pras | joyful |
| ātmanā | ātmanā | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with the self |
| yāvad | yāvad | indeclinable | — | until |
| jñānaṁ | jñānaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | knowledge |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vīta | vīta | verb | √vī | free from |
| śokaḥ | śokaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | grief |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality by emphasizing the detachment from worldly desires and the pursuit of knowledge. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasutras highlights the concept of 'vairagya' or dispassion as a means to attain self-realization. The verse 'Na tvahaṁ kāmaye rājyaṁ na ca mohaṁ na vittaśrīḥ' illustrates this dispassion, directing the seeker towards the ultimate goal of realizing the brahman-ātman identity. According to Shankara, the realization of this identity is the culmination of knowledge, leading to the state of 'prasannātmanā' or a serene and peaceful Self. This verse, in essence, points to the futility of worldly pursuits and the importance of seeking knowledge that reveals the true nature of the Self, thereby liberating the individual from grief and suffering.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as an expression of devotion and surrender to the Divine. Rāmānujācārya's Visishtadvaita philosophy emphasizes the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Self (Īśvara), highlighting the dependence of the former on the latter. The desire for knowledge ('jñānaṁ') in this verse is seen as a desire for self-realization, which is a gift from the Lord. The 'prasannātmanā' state refers to the joy and peace that arise from the experience of divine love and grace. This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava perspective, encourages the devotee to renounce worldly attachments and seek a deep, personal relationship with the Divine, thereby attaining freedom from sorrow and grief through the Lord's grace.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda's interpretation of this verse focuses on the universal and practical application of its message. In his lectures and writings, Vivekānanda emphasizes the importance of detachment and self-control as means to achieve true freedom and happiness. The pursuit of knowledge ('jñānaṁ') is seen as a pursuit of self-awareness and understanding, which enables individuals to transcend worldly limitations and find inner peace. Vivekānanda's concept of 'service to humanity' as a means to achieve spiritual growth is also reflected in this verse, as the seeker's desire for knowledge and freedom from grief is not merely a personal goal but also a means to serve others. This verse, according to Vivekānanda, encourages individuals to seek a higher purpose in life, beyond material possessions and worldly pleasures, and to strive for a state of inner peace and harmony that benefits both the individual and society.