Chapter 3, Verse 17
Part of 3: Karm Yog — कर्मयोगयस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः। आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते॥
Transliteration
yas tvātma-ratir eva syād ātma-tṛiptaśh cha mānavaḥ ātmanyeva cha santuṣhṭas tasya kāryaṁ na vidyate
Meaning
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.
Word-by-word meaning
yaḥ — whotu — butātma-ratiḥ — rejoice in the selfeva — certainlysyāt — isātma-tṛiptaḥ — self-satisfiedcha — andmānavaḥ — human beingātmani — in the selfeva — certainlycha — andsantuṣhṭaḥ — satisfiedtasya — hiskāryam — dutyna — notvidyate — exist
Commentary
The sage does not depend on external objects for his happiness. He is ite satisfied with the Self. He finds his joy, bliss and contentment within his own Self. For such a sage who has knowledge of the Self, there is nothing to do. He has already done all actions. He has satisfied all his desires. He has complete satisfaction. (Cf. II.55).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 17?▼
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.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?▼
This is verse 17 of Chapter 3 (Karm Yog — Path of Selfless Service) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.