na tvahaṃ kāmayiṣe rājā na ca devari riṣyati
“The king does not desire her, nor does the god suffer a loss.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmayiṣe - rājā - na - ca - devari - riṣyati
tvahaṃ (I) kāmayiṣe (desire to be) rājā (a king) na (not) devari (in a woman's kingdom) na (and not) ca (also) riṣyati (suffer loss)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmayiṣe | kāmayiṣe | verb | √kām · liṅ-optative · second | may you desire |
| rājā | rājā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | king |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| devari | devārī | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | the chief wife of a king |
| riṣyati | riṣyati | verb | √riṣ · laṭ-present · third | is injured |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'na tvahaṃ kāmayiṣe rājā na ca devari riṣyati', encapsulates the non-dual essence of reality, pointing towards the ultimate identity of brahman and ātman. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentaries on the Upaniṣads, emphasizes the idea that the self (ātman) is not bound by desires or affected by external entities, much like the king and god in the verse who are unaffected. This aligns with his exposition on the phrase 'tat tvam asi' from the Chāndogya Upaniṣad, where he explains that the individual self is, in truth, the ultimate reality. Thus, this verse can be seen as reinforcing the concept of the unreality of the world of duality, guiding the seeker towards the realization of the non-dual brahman-ātman identity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse focuses on the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his Bhagavad Gītā Bhāṣya, discusses the concept of 'aprathakṣṭva', or the inherent, inseparable nature of the jīva and Īśvara, similar to how the king and the god in the verse maintain their respective positions without interference. This perspective underscores the idea that just as the king does not desire something he already possesses, the Supreme Lord does not 'desire' or lack anything, and similarly, the devotee does not 'lose' anything when they are in a state of devotion. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the difference between the soul and God, might view this verse as highlighting the distinct roles and natures of the jīva and Īśvara, reinforcing the bheda or difference between them.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures in Neo-Vedānta, would likely interpret this verse in the context of universal application and practical spirituality. Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the importance of inner strength and the realization of one's true nature. This verse, with its imagery of the unaffected king and god, could be seen as a metaphor for the aspirant who remains untouched by worldly desires and misfortunes, focusing instead on the realization of the Self. Rādhākrishnan, with his philosophical background, might see this verse as symbolizing the harmony between the individual's inner life and the demands of the external world, suggesting a balanced approach to life where one's inner peace and detachment are not disturbed by external events. This reading encourages individuals to embrace their life's journey with equanimity, reflecting the principles of detachment and self-realization found in Vedāntic philosophy.