na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājā na ca devarī na janaḥ । nityamāhāramāyānti mṛgāḥ paśyanti na kañcana ॥
“I do not desire to be a king, nor a god, nor a man; deer keep coming for food every day, without seeing any of them.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājā - na - ca - devarī - na - janaḥ - nityam - āhāram - āyānti - mṛgāḥ - paśyanti - na - kañcana
mṛgāḥ (deer) nityam (constantly) āhāram (food) āyānti (come to seek) na (not) kañcana (anyone) paśyanti (see)tvahaṃ (I) rājā (king) na (not) kāmaye (desire) na (not) ca (and) devarī (queen) na (not) janaḥ (people)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| devarī | devarī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | chief wife |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| janaḥ | janaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | person |
| nityam | nityam | indeclinable | — | always |
| āhāram | āhāram | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | food |
| āyānti | āyānti | verb | √ā + yā · laṭ-present · third | they come |
| mṛgāḥ | mṛgāḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | deer |
| paśyanti | paśyanti | verb | √paś · laṭ-present · third | they see |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kañcana | kañcana | indeclinable | — | anyone |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra illustrates the non-dual nature of reality, emphasizing the futility of desiring external roles or identities. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (particularly 1.1.1) highlights the importance of understanding the ultimate reality, Brahman, beyond ephemeral positions like king, god, or man. This verse, with its negation of desires for such roles, indirectly points toward the realization of the Ātman, or the Self, which is the unchanging essence beyond transient worldly aspirations. The image of deer coming for food without being seen underscores the idea that true fulfillment lies not in external achievements but in recognizing one's true nature. This interpretation aligns with Shankara's emphasis on the identity of Brahman and Ātman, guiding the seeker towards self-realization beyond the confines of worldly desires.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava approach to this verse may involve a devotional interpretation, focusing on the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, discusses the concept of 'prapatti' or surrender to the Lord, which could be seen as the ultimate state of detachment from worldly desires, akin to the speaker's rejection of being a king, god, or man. The deer, coming for food without expectation of seeing or being seen, may symbolize the devotee's selfless approach to worship, where the focus is on service and devotion rather than recognition or personal gain. This interpretation highlights the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the path of devotion as a means to achieve spiritual liberation and intimacy with the Divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of Vedāntic principles in everyday life, advocating for a blend of spiritual pursuit and social service. This verse can be seen as a call to reevaluate one's priorities, recognizing that true fulfillment does not lie in external achievements or roles but in the cultivation of inner peace and contentment. The image of deer coming for food without being seen can symbolize the simple, uncomplicated approach to life, where one's actions are guided by a sense of duty and service rather than the desire for recognition. This perspective aligns with Vivekānanda's message of service to humanity as a means to spiritual growth, and Radhakrishnan's emphasis on the universal relevance of Indian philosophy, suggesting that this verse offers wisdom applicable to contemporary life, encouraging individuals to seek inner fulfillment and contribute positively to society.