न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च |
किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा || 32||
na kāṅkṣhe vijayaṁ kṛiṣhṇa na cha rājyaṁ sukhāni cha
kiṁ no rājyena govinda kiṁ bhogair jīvitena vā
na—nor; kāṅkṣhe—do I desire; vijayam—victory; kṛiṣhṇa—Krishna; na—nor; cha—as well; rājyam—kingdom; sukhāni—happiness; cha—also; kim—what; naḥ—to us; rājyena—by kingdom; govinda—Krishna, he who gives pleasure to the senses, he who is fond of cows; kim—what?; bhogaiḥ—pleasures; jīvitena—life; vā—or;
Translation:
O Krishna! I do not desire victory or kingdom or pleasures. Of what avail are these kingdom, enjoyment, or even life itself to us.
Commentary:
The Sastras say that the knowledge of Atma should be taught only to those who possess this quality of renunciation. Does Arjuna possess this quality? Is he fit to receive the supreme knowledge? This doubt is cleared by this verse. For some reason or other, he now feels the futility of all earthly pleasures and enjoyments. feels the futility of all earthly glory and the wretchedness of all earthly Life itself appears as a useless waste. He has no relish for it. He feels that even if he is offered dominion over the three worlds, it is of no avail to him.
This is the auspicious moment for the revelation of the supreme wisdom. Therefore, Lord Krishna chooses this particular moment, when the fire of renunciation burns brightest in the heart of Arjuna to teach the highest spiritual knowledge.