na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca devaripuṃ vadh .<br>madya-pānaṃ na gānaṃ ca nityamāhāra eva me .
“I do not desire kingdom, nor do I desire to kill the enemy of the gods; for me, everyday drinking and singing are enough.”
Structure
na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca devaripuṃ vadh madya-pānaṃ na gānaṃ ca nityam āhāraḥ eva me
na (not) tvahaṃ (I) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) na (not) ca (and) devaripuṃ (the enemy of the gods) vadh (killing) madya-pānaṃ (drinking intoxicants) na (not) gānaṃ (singing) ca (and) nityam (always) āhāraḥ (food) eva (only) me (my)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvahaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular | you |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kā · present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| devaripuṃ | devaripuṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | enemy of gods |
| vadh | vadh | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | killing |
| madya-pānaṃ | madya-pānaṃ | compound | karmadhāraya · "madya-pānaṃ = madya-ca pānaṃ" | drinking of intoxicants |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| gānaṃ | gānaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | singing |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| nityam | nityam | indeclinable | — | always |
| āhāraḥ | āhāraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | food |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only |
| me | me | pronoun | dative · singular | to me |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse resonates with the non-dualistic philosophy of Advaita Vedānta, as it dismisses worldly desires, symbolized by 'rājyaṃ' (kingdom) and 'devaripuṃ vadh' (killing the enemy of the gods), which are ephemeral and unreal. Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the importance of realizing the brahman-ātman identity, which transcends all mundane aspirations. This verse indicates that true fulfillment lies not in worldly achievements but in the recognition of one's true nature. The mention of 'nityamāhāraḥ eva me' (everyday drinking and singing are enough) can be seen as a metaphor for the eternal bliss and contentment that arise from the union with the Ultimate Reality, suggesting that the pursuit of ephemeral pleasures is but a pale reflection of the deeper, unchanging joy of self-realization.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as an expression of detachment and the pursuit of a higher purpose, in line with the teachings of Rāmānujācārya, who emphasized the path of devotion (bhakti) and the loving service to Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The rejection of desires for 'rājyaṃ' and 'devaripuṃ vadh' may symbolize the renunciation of worldly ambitions in favor of a life dedicated to the service and worship of the Divine. However, 'madya-pānaṃ na gānaṃ ca' could be interpreted as a warning against the excesses of worldly life, suggesting that true devotion and service to the Lord require a life of simplicity and moderation. Rāmānujācārya's emphasis on the importance of prapatti (surrender) might imply that one should surrender all desires, including those for power or material enjoyment, to the will of the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound message of simplicity and contentment in contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, a key figure in Neo-Vedānta, often spoke about the importance of living in the present and finding joy in the simple things. The phrase 'nityamāhāraḥ eva me' can be interpreted as an advocacy for appreciating the everyday moments and finding fulfillment in them, rather than constantly striving for more. This resonates with Vivekānanda's emphasis on the dignity of labor and the value of everyday life as a means to spiritual growth. In a similar vein, S. Rādhākrishnan highlighted the universality of spiritual principles that transcend specific religious traditions, suggesting that this verse speaks to a universal human aspiration for peace and contentment, achievable through the simplification of one's desires and the appreciation of the present moment.