na tv-evāhaṁ mumuṣur-asmi na me iṣṭhā tva-yā vīnā । na ca svāmī vṛṇate na ca me svāmir-asti ।
“I am not a seeker of liberation, nor do I have a desire for You; I do not have a master, nor does a master exist for me.”
Structure
na - tvevāhaṁ - mumuṣur - asmi - na - me - iṣṭhā - tvayā - vīnā - na - ca - svāmī - vṛṇate - na - ca - me - svāmir - asti
na (not) tvā (you) eva (alone) ahaṁ (I) mumuṣuḥ (desire liberation) asmi (am)na (not) me (my) iṣṭhā (wish) tvayā (with you) vīnā (without) na (not) ca (and) svāmī (someone) vṛṇate (chooses)na (not) ca (and) me (my) svāmī (lord/master) asti (exists)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvevāhaṁ | tvevāhaṁ | compound | karmadhāraya · "tvam eva aham" | I am not you |
| mumuṣur | mumuṣur | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one who wishes to die |
| asmi | asmi | verb | √as · laṭ-present · first | I am |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| me | me | pronoun | genitive · singular | of me |
| iṣṭhā | iṣṭhā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | most beloved one |
| tvayā | tvayā | pronoun | instrumental · singular | by you |
| vīnā | vīnā | indeclinable | — | except |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| svāmī | svāmī | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | lord |
| vṛṇate | vṛṇate | verb | √vṛ · laṭ-present · third | he chooses |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| me | me | pronoun | genitive · singular | of me |
| svāmir | svāmir | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | lord |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · laṭ-present · third | there is |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, pointing to the identity of Brahman and Ātman. Śaṅkara's commentary on the Kaṭhopaniṣad emphasizes that the seeker's desire for liberation (mumuṣutva) is itself a barrier to realizing the true nature of the Self. The verse 'na tv-evāhaṁ mumuṣur-asmi' suggests that the individual is not a seeker of liberation, as the very notion of seeking implies a duality between the seeker and the sought. Śaṅkara notes that the Self is already free, and the concept of a 'master' or 'svāmī' is irrelevant in the context of ultimate reality. This verse is pivotal in establishing the brahman-ātman identity, as it highlights the illusoriness of the distinctions between the individual self and the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as an expression of the jīva's (individual self) devotion to Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya's commentary on the Kaṭhopaniṣad emphasizes that the jīva's desire for liberation is, in fact, a desire to be with the Lord, and that the Lord is the sole master (svāmī) of the jīva. The phrase 'na me iṣṭhā tvayā vīnā' suggests that the jīva has no desire independent of the Lord, underscoring the dependent relationship between the jīva and Īśvara. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, would likely emphasize the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, highlighting the jīva's complete dependence on the Lord's grace for liberation. This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava tradition, underscores the devotional aspect of the jīva-Īśvara relationship.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan offer a more universal and practical interpretation of this verse, focusing on its implications for everyday life. Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Upaniṣads, notes that this verse suggests the individual's true nature is already free, unencumbered by external authorities or desires. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on Indian philosophy, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the illusoriness of distinctions between the individual self and the ultimate reality. The phrase 'na ca svāmī vṛṇate' can be seen as a call to self-reliance and inner guidance, as the individual recognizes their own inherent freedom and wisdom. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, encourages individuals to look within for guidance and to recognize their own inherent potential, unencumbered by external expectations or desires.