na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca rājyasya kāmnā. atha kāmayate cittaṃ tanna kuryāt prayojanam
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I have a desire for kingdom; if the mind desires (something), one should not make that into a purpose.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - rājyasya - kāmnā - atha - kāmayate - cittaṃ - tat - na - kuryāt - prayojanam
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (not) ca (and) rājyasya (of kingdom) kāmnā (for desire)atha (if) cittaṃ (mind) kāmayate (desires) tat (that) na (not) kuryāt (should make) prayojanam (purpose)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · present · first | 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 | from desire |
| atha | atha | indeclinable | — | then |
| kāmayate | kāmayate | verb | √kām · present · third | desires |
| cittaṃ | cittaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | mind |
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kuryāt | kuryāt | verb | √kṛ · optative · third | should do |
| prayojanam | prayojanam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | application |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the ego's (jīva) desires are transcended to realize the ultimate identity of brahman and ātman. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the need to detach from worldly desires, including the desire for kingdom or power, to focus on the pursuit of Self-knowledge. The phrase 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ' (I do not desire kingdom) reflects this detachment, echoing the Bhagavad Gītā's message to renounce the fruits of action. This detachment allows the seeker to inquire into the nature of the Self, culminating in the realization of the non-dual truth. As Śaṅkarācārya notes in his Upadeśasāhasrī, such realization is the ultimate purpose, beyond the fleeting allure of worldly achievements or possessions.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as an expression of the jīva's (individual soul) desire to be free from the influences of the material world and seek a deeper, spiritual connection with Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, discusses the concept of prapatti, or total surrender to God, as a means to achieve this freedom. The line 'atha kāmayate cittaṃ' (if the mind desires) suggests that even the desire for spiritual liberation should be dedicated to the service of the Lord, rather than being a self-centered pursuit. This aligns with Rāmānujācārya's emphasis on bhakti (devotion) as a path to realizing one's true nature and relationship with Īśvara, demonstrating that true fulfillment lies not in earthly kingdoms but in devotion to the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound message relevant to contemporary life: the need to examine our desires and their alignment with our true purpose. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on practical Vedānta, often emphasized the importance of self-reflection and the cultivation of inner strength. The statement 'na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ' can be seen as a call to reevaluate our priorities, recognizing that true fulfillment does not lie in external achievements or possessions but in the realization of our inner potential. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings, highlights the universal applicability of Vedāntic principles, suggesting that such self-awareness and detachment from worldly desires are essential for achieving a balanced and meaningful life. This perspective encourages individuals to seek a deeper purpose, one that transcends material ambitions and aligns with the pursuit of knowledge, peace, and harmony.