na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ nāpi mohanam iṣitām | na ca sva-deśāparata na pravāso na cādhiripra-tāpaḥ
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I desire lovely women, nor do I desire to stay in my own country nor to travel, nor do I desire to be powerful.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - nāpi - mohanam - iṣitām - na - ca - sva-deśa-aparata - na - pravāso - na - ca - adhiripra-tāpaḥ
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)nāpi (nor) mohanam (enchantment) iṣitām (desired)na (not) ca (and) sva-deśa-aparata (separation from own country)na (not) pravāso (exile) na (nor) ca (and) adhiripra-tāpaḥ (tyranny of a ruler)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| nāpi | nāpi | indeclinable | — | nor |
| mohanam | mohanam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | delusion |
| iṣitām | iṣitām | verb | √iṣ · liṅ-optative · third | may he desire |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| sva-deśa-aparata | sva-deśāparata | compound | tatpuruṣa · "sva-deśa aparataḥ" | separation from one's own country |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| pravāso | pravāso | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | exile |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| adhiripra-tāpaḥ | adhiripra-tāpaḥ | compound | tatpuruṣa · "adhiripra tāpaḥ" | the pain of excessive taxation |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra resonates with the non-dualistic philosophy of Advaita Vedānta, as it underscores the detachment from worldly desires and the ephemeral nature of earthly pleasures. Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the importance of vairagya (detachment) as a means to realize the ultimate reality, Brahman. The speaker's disinterest in kingdom, lovely women, and power symbolizes a longing for something more profound, which can be interpreted as the longing for the brahman-ātman identity. This interpretation aligns with Shankara's reasoning that the ultimate goal of human existence is to realize one's true nature, which is not bound by worldly desires or dualities. By rejecting the allurements of the world, the individual can embark on a journey of self-discovery and ultimately attain the state of unity with the Supreme.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as an expression of the jīva's (individual soul) longing for liberation from the cycle of birth and death, driven by worldly desires. Rāmānujācārya's concept of prapatti (surrender) comes into play here, where the individual, recognizing the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures, seeks refuge in the divine, Īśvara (Vishnu). The rejection of kingdom, women, and power signifies a recognition of the limitations and dissatisfaction inherent in these earthly pursuits, prompting the seeker to look towards a higher reality. This surrender is not a negation of the world but an acknowledgment of its inability to provide lasting satisfaction, leading the devotee to seek a personal relationship with the divine, characterized by love, devotion, and dependence.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse speaks directly to the modern human condition, plagued by desires that often lead to dissatisfaction and suffering. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, emphasized the importance of cultivating inner strength and detachment in the face of life's challenges. The speaker's rejection of worldly allurements serves as a potent reminder of the transitory nature of earthly attachments and the need to seek fulfillment in more profound and lasting aspects of human existence. In contemporary life, this verse encourages individuals to re-evaluate their priorities, focusing on personal growth, compassion, and the pursuit of knowledge, rather than the ephemeral gratifications of power, wealth, or external validation. It underscores the universal quest for meaning and happiness, advocating for a balanced approach to life that integrates worldly responsibilities with a deeper, spiritual aspiration.