na tvahaṃ kāmaye rājyaṃ na ca mokṣaṃ na punyataḥ
“I do not desire kingdom, nor liberation, nor religious merit.”
Structure
na - tvahaṃ - kāmaye - rājyaṃ - na - ca - mokṣaṃ - na - punyataḥ
ahaṃ (I) na (not) kāmaye (desire) rājyaṃ (kingdom) na (not) ca (and) mokṣaṃ (liberation) na (not) punyataḥ (from virtue)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvahaṃ | tvāhaṁ | compound | dvandva · "tva + aham" | you and I |
| kāmaye | kāmaye | verb | √kām · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| rājyaṃ | rājyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | kingdom |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| mokṣaṃ | mokṣaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | liberation |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| punyataḥ | punyataḥ | indeclinable | — | from piety/righteousness/goodness |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the ultimate goal is not the attainment of external objects like kingdom or liberation, but the realization of one's true Self, the brahman-ātman. Shankara, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, interprets the concept of 'tyaga' or renunciation as the giving up of the notion of a separate self, which is the root cause of all desires. This verse points to the same idea, where the speaker declares that they do not desire kingdom, liberation, or merit, implying a detachment from all worldly and heavenly goals. According to Shankara, such detachment is necessary for the realization of the ultimate reality, where the individual self (jiva) is seen as non-different from the ultimate reality (brahman). This verse thus serves as a pointer to the brahman-ātman identity, which is the central theme of Advaita Vedanta. As Shankara notes in his Upadesasahasri, the true self is beyond all desires and dualities, and can only be realized through the cultivation of detachment and self-inquiry.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse highlights the importance of devotion and self-surrender in achieving spiritual liberation. Ramanuja, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the role of prapatti or self-surrender in attaining the Lord's grace. The speaker's declaration that they do not desire kingdom, liberation, or merit can be seen as an expression of their willingness to surrender all personal desires and ambitions to the will of the Lord. This surrender is not a negation of the self, but a recognition of one's inherent dependence on the Lord, and a desire to align one's will with the divine will. As Madhva notes in his commentary on the Upanishads, the jiva's ultimate goal is not to attain liberation, but to experience the bliss of serving the Lord. This verse thus serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating a devotional attitude, where one's primary concern is not personal gain or achievement, but the pleasure and service of the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has a profound relevance to modern life, where individuals are often driven by a relentless pursuit of external goals and desires. According to Swami Vivekananda, the root cause of human suffering is not the lack of external fulfillment, but the lack of internal fulfillment, which can only be achieved through the cultivation of self-awareness and detachment. This verse serves as a reminder that true freedom and happiness can only be achieved by transcending the limitations of the ego and the external world. As Radhakrishnan notes in his Hibbert Lectures, the ultimate goal of human life is not the attainment of external objects, but the realization of one's true nature, which is beyond all desires and dualities. This verse thus serves as a call to introspection and self-inquiry, where individuals can examine their own desires and motivations, and redirect their energies towards the pursuit of lasting fulfillment and happiness. In contemporary life, this verse can be seen as a reminder of the importance of living a simple, authentic, and meaningful life, where one's primary concern is not external success or achievement, but the cultivation of inner peace, wisdom, and compassion.