na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca rājyasya kāmnā. atha kāmayate kim asau yasya rājyaṃ na kāmnā.
“I do not desire a kingdom, nor do I have a desire for a kingdom; what then does he desire, for whom a kingdom is not a desire?”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - rājyasya - kāmnā - atha - kāmayate - kim - asau - yasya - rājyaṃ - na - kāmnā
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (not) ca (and) rājyasya (of kingdom) kāmnā (desire)atha (then) kim (what) asau (that one) kāmayate (desires)yasya (of whom) rājyaṃ (kingdom) na (not) kāmnā (desire)
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 |
| rājyasya | rājyasya | noun | genitive · singular · neuter | of the kingdom |
| kāmnā | kāmnā | noun | ablative · singular · feminine | out of desire |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then |
| kāmayate | kāmayate | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · third | he desires |
| kim | kim | indeclinable | — | what |
| asau | asau | pronoun | nominative · singular | that person |
| yasya | yasya | pronoun | genitive · singular | of whom |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kāmnā | kāmnā | noun | ablative · singular · feminine | out of desire |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse illustrates the concept of non-duality, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately identical with the universal reality (Brahman). Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras emphasizes the idea that true liberation (moksha) can only be achieved by transcending desires, including the desire for worldly power and wealth. The speaker's rejection of kingdom and desire for kingdom serves as a metaphor for the renunciation of worldly attachments, echoing Shankara's reasoning in his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, where he argues that the ultimate goal is to realize the identity of the individual self with Brahman. This verse, in essence, underscores the futility of pursuing external sources of happiness and fulfillment, pointing the seeker towards the inner realization of the self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): In this verse, we see the jīva's (individual soul's) detachment from worldly desires, exemplifying the Vaiṣṇava ideal of selfless devotion (bhakti) to Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Ramanuja's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita highlights the importance of cultivating a mindset devoid of personal desires, as a means to achieve a pure and selfless love for God. The speaker's assertion that they do not desire a kingdom, nor the desire for one, symbolizes the jīva's potential for liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara), through surrender to the divine will. This surrender is a key aspect of Vaiṣṇava theology, as seen in Ramanuja's concept of 'prapatti' or self-surrender, which allows the jīva to transcend worldly desires and attain union with Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse offers a universal message on the nature of desire and fulfillment. Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures on the 'Complete Works', emphasizes the idea that true happiness can never be found in external sources, but rather in the realization of one's inner potential. The speaker's rejection of kingdom and desire serves as a powerful reminder of the impermanence and unreliability of worldly pleasures. Vivekananda often cited the example of the 'great emperor' who, despite having everything, remains unfulfilled, to illustrate the inherent emptiness of worldly pursuits. This verse encourages the individual to look beyond the fleeting desires of the ego and to seek a deeper, more profound sense of purpose and fulfillment, which can be achieved through self-reflection, self-discipline, and a commitment to personal growth and development.