na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mohaṃ na vai raṇe । atiprayojanaṃ pśyāmi jīvitasyātmavat ॥
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I desire attachment or war; I see a very purpose in my own life.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mohaṃ - na - vai - raṇe - ati - prayojanaṃ - pśyāmi - jīvitasyā - ātmavat
ahaṃ (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom), na (not) ca (and) mohaṃ (delusion), na (not) vai (indeed) raṇe (in battle), jīvitasyā (of life) ātmavat (for the sake of self-preservation) ati (exceedingly) prayojanaṃ (purpose) pśyāmi (I see)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mohaṃ | mohaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | delusion |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| raṇe | raṇe | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in battle |
| ati | ati | indeclinable | — | exceedingly |
| prayojanaṃ | prayojanaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | purpose |
| pśyāmi | pśyāmi | verb | √pśya · laṭ-present · first | I see |
| jīvitasyā | jīvitasyā | noun | genitive · singular · feminine | of life |
| ātmavat | ātmavat | compound | bahuvrīhi · "ātmā vā eva" | self-possessed |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, highlighting the futility of worldly pursuits such as kingdom, attachment, and war. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1) echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the quest for knowledge of the Self as the ultimate purpose. The phrase 'atiprayojanaṃ pśyāmi jīvitasyātmavat' suggests that the speaker recognizes the superior purpose of life is to realize one's true nature, which is none other than Brahman. This realization dissolves the distinctions between the individual self and the ultimate reality, revealing their essential identity. By rejecting external sources of fulfillment, the speaker affirms the Self as the sole repository of enduring joy and peace. In this context, the verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, encouraging the seeker to look within for the ultimate purpose of life.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse can be seen as an expression of detachment, a fundamental aspect of bhakti or devotion. The speaker's rejection of kingdom, attachment, and war implies a recognition of their ephemeral nature and a desire for something more lasting. Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (12.13-14) highlights the importance of cultivating devotion to Īśvara, the Supreme Lord, as the means to achieve this lasting fulfillment. The phrase 'jīvitasyātmavat' suggests a deep appreciation for the intrinsic value of life, which, according to Vaiṣṇava thought, is rooted in its relationship with Īśvara. The speaker's focus on the 'atiprayojanaṃ' or superior purpose of life indicates an awareness of this deeper relationship and a longing to realize it. This verse, therefore, can be seen as a call to devote oneself to the pursuit of spiritual growth and the cultivation of love for the Divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse speaks to the universal human quest for meaning and purpose. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Real Nature of the Soul' (Complete Works, Vol. 2), emphasizes the importance of looking within for the ultimate purpose of life, rather than seeking it in external sources such as power, wealth, or material possessions. The phrase 'atiprayojanaṃ pśyāmi jīvitasyātmavat' resonates with Vivekānanda's call to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, which is rooted in their spiritual nature. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy', further develops this idea, highlighting the need for a spiritual foundation in life to overcome the challenges of the modern world. This verse, therefore, offers a timely reminder of the importance of introspection and spiritual seeking in contemporary life, encouraging individuals to look beyond superficial pursuits and cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.