Chapter 3 Verse 17
Karm Yog
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः। आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते।।3.17।।
yas tvātma-ratir eva syād ātma-tṛiptaśh cha mānavaḥ ātmanyeva cha santuṣhṭas tasya kāryaṁ na vidyate
Word Meanings
| yaḥ | who |
| tu | but |
| ātma-ratiḥ | rejoice in the self |
| eva | certainly |
| syāt | is |
| ātma-tṛiptaḥ | self-satisfied |
| cha | and |
| mānavaḥ | human being |
| ātmani | in the self |
| eva | certainly |
| cha | and |
| santuṣhṭaḥ | satisfied |
| tasya | his |
| kāryam | duty |
| na | not |
| vidyate | exist |
Translation
But for that man who rejoices only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self and is content in the Self alone, indeed there is nothing to do.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse points to a person who finds their deepest joy inside themselves, not in things outside. When someone is satisfied by their true inner Self, they are free from the hunger for rewards, praise, or escape.
Being "content in the Self alone" means there is no inner push to do things out of fear, pride, or need. For such a person, the sense of having to accomplish something ceases — actions no longer bind them.
This does not require physical inactivity. It means actions come from calm clarity and compassion, not from restlessness or personal gain.
Life Application
- Spend a few minutes daily in quiet or simple self-inquiry to notice whether you seek inner peace or external approval.
- Before acting, ask if your motivation is need or service; choose actions that arise from steadiness rather than craving.
- Practice doing tasks fully but without clinging to outcomes — focus on the work, not the reward.
Reflection Question
Are your actions driven by inner contentment or by a need for result and recognition?