na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mokṣaṃ na punyam । athekato yadviṣṇustattatme kāmyate ॥ 160 ॥
“I do not desire sovereignty, nor liberation, nor heaven; only that which pleases Viṣṇu on one side is what I desire.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mokṣaṃ - na - punyam - atheka - tato - yat - viṣṇuḥ - tat - tat - me - kāmyate
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom)na (not) ca (and) mokṣaṃ (liberation)na (not) punyam (righteousness)atheka (if one, singular) tato (then) yat (what) viṣṇuḥ (Viṣṇu) tat (that) tat (that) me (to me) kāmyate (is desirable)
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 |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mokṣaṃ | mokṣaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | liberation |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| punyam | punyam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | merit |
| atheka | atheka | indeclinable | — | if not, otherwise |
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then, from that |
| yat | yat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | what |
| viṣṇuḥ | viṣṇuḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Viṣṇu |
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| tat | tat | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | that |
| me | me | pronoun | dative · singular | to me |
| kāmyate | kāmyate | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · third | is desired |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual essence of reality, where the individual self (ātman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) are not separate entities. According to Shankara, the desire for sovereignty, liberation, or heaven is rooted in a deluded understanding of the self and its relationship with the world. The phrase 'only that which pleases Viṣṇu' suggests a singular focus on the ultimate reality, which is beyond human desires and conceptualizations. This verse can be seen as an expression of the Brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self, having transcended its limited desires, realizes its true nature as being one with the ultimate reality. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (1.1.1) also emphasizes this non-dual understanding, stating that the ultimate reality is the essence of everything, and all distinctions are mere appearances.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse highlights the devotional aspect of the Vaiṣṇava tradition, where the individual self (jīva) seeks to please the supreme lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā (18.66), emphasizes the importance of surrendering one's desires and ego to the will of the lord. The phrase 'only that which pleases Viṣṇu' is seen as a expression of this surrender, where the individual self seeks to align its desires with the will of the lord. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, interprets this verse as a statement of the jīva's inherent dependence on Īśvara, highlighting the distinction between the individual self and the supreme lord. In both interpretations, the verse is seen as a call to devotion and self-surrender, where the individual self seeks to cultivate a loving relationship with the supreme lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a universal and practical message, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's desires with a higher purpose. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhakti Yoga (The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol. 3), highlights the role of devotion in transcending personal desires and ego. The phrase 'only that which pleases Viṣṇu' can be seen as a call to selfless action, where the individual seeks to serve a higher cause rather than personal interests. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on the Upanishads (The Principal Upanishads), emphasizes the importance of cultivating a sense of detachment and inner freedom, where the individual is not bound by desires and expectations. This verse can be seen as a pointer to a more meaningful and fulfilling life, where the individual seeks to align their desires with a higher purpose, leading to a sense of inner peace and contentment.