na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca rājyasya kāmnā । atha kāmaye yat kāmaḥ sa rājyād api duṣkaram ॥
“I do not desire a kingdom, nor do I have a desire for a kingdom; what I desire is something that even a kingdom cannot provide.”
Structure
na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca rājyasya kāmnā atha kāmaye yat kāmaḥ sa rājyād api duṣkaram
na (no) tv (indeed) ahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (no) ca (and) kāmnā (for desire) rājyasya (of kingdom)atha (then) kāmaye (I desire) yat (what) kāmaḥ (desire) saḥ (that) rājyāt (than kingdom) api (even) duṣkaram (difficult)
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 kingdom |
| kāmnā | kāmnā | noun | ablative · singular · feminine | desire |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| yat | yat | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | what |
| kāmaḥ | kāmaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | desire |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | that |
| rājyād | rājyād | noun | ablative · singular · neuter | from kingdom |
| api | api | indeclinable | — | even |
| duṣkaram | duṣkaram | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | difficult |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Pañcatantra, 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca rājyasya kāmnā', underscores the non-dualistic perspective of reality, emphasizing the futility of worldly desires. According to Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasutras, all worldly acquisitions, including kingdoms, are ephemeral and do not lead to lasting fulfillment. The ultimate desire, as hinted in this verse, 'atha kāmaye yat kāmaḥ sa rājyād api duṣkaram', points towards the realization of the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is recognized as being non-different from the ultimate reality (brahman). This realization is what truly transcends the limitations and sufferings associated with worldly kingdoms and desires.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse highlights the distinction between the jīva (the individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Gītā, emphasizes the concept of prapatti, or self-surrender to God, as the means to achieve true fulfillment. This verse, 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ', can be seen as an expression of detachment from worldly attachments, paving the way for devotion to a higher power. The desire that transcends even a kingdom, 'sa rājyād api duṣkaram', is interpreted as the longing for union with the divine, underscoring the central Vaiṣṇava theme of achieving liberation through loving devotion to Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on practical Vedānta, often emphasized the universal applicability of ancient Indian wisdom to modern life. This verse, with its expression of disdain for worldly kingdoms and its yearning for something greater, resonates with Vivekānanda's call for individuals to look beyond material achievements for fulfillment. In his writings, such as 'Complete Works', Vivekānanda urges individuals to recognize their true nature and strive for self-realization, echoing the verse's hint at a desire that surpasses worldly greatness. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in integrating Vedāntic philosophy with contemporary thought, would interpret this verse as a call to recognize the limitations of external power and wealth, and to seek a deeper, inner fulfillment that aligns with the universal and eternal principles of existence.