यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः। आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते।।3.17।।
yastva ātmāratiḥ eva syād ātmatṛptaḥ ca mānavaḥ | ātmaneva ca santuṣṭaḥ tasya kāryam na vidyate ||3.17||
Translation
But those who rejoice in the self, who are illumined and fully satisfied in the self, for them, there is no duty.
Word Meanings
yaḥ — one who; tu — but; ātma‑ratiḥ — taking pleasure in the Self; eva — certainly; syāt — remains; ātma‑tṛptaḥ — self‑illuminated; ca — and; mānavaḥ — a man; ātmani — in himself; eva — only; ca — and; santuṣṭaḥ — perfectly satiated; tasya — his; kāryam — duty; na — does not; vidyate — exist.
Understanding the Verse
In this short yet profound verse, Krishna points out a condition that liberates a being from the ordinary obligations that bind most individuals. The description begins with ‘yastva’ – the one who, emphasizing the person’s identity. He is characterized by ‘ātma‑ratiḥ’, a deep sense of delight that arises from the Self, not from external achievements or sensory pleasures. This inner joy is not fleeting; the word ‘eva’ stresses its exclusivity and certainty. Such a person is also ‘ātma‑tṛptaḥ’, fully satisfied within, having quenched all cravings that ordinarily drive actions. The addition of ‘mānavaḥ’ reminds us that this state is attainable by a human being, not just a sage or deity.
Krishna continues by highlighting that the satisfaction is rooted ‘ātmaneva’, only in the Self. The conjunction ‘ca’ links this internal contentment to the next quality: ‘santuṣṭaḥ’, perfectly satiated. When a being experiences complete fulfillment in the Self, the usual motivations for action—desire for material gain, fear of loss, or societal expectations—lose their grip. Consequently, the verse declares that for such a person ‘kāryam na vidyate’, meaning no duty exists for him. This does not imply negligence or laziness; rather, it indicates that duties performed out of attachment are unnecessary because the self‑realized individual operates spontaneously from his true nature, free from the burden of prescribed obligations.
The teaching aligns with the broader Gita philosophy where action performed without attachment (karma‑yoga) leads to liberation. Here, Krishna emphasizes the ultimate stage of this practice: when the practitioner’s heart is wholly absorbed in the Self, actions cease to be obligatory. The verse thus encourages aspirants to seek inner satisfaction and self‑realization, transcending the endless cycle of duty and desire that characterizes ordinary human life. By cultivating self‑contentment, one moves toward the supreme freedom of acting in perfect harmony with one’s divine essence, rendering external duties superfluous. This insight serves as a guiding beacon for those on the spiritual path, illustrating the profound transformation that arises when the Self becomes the sole source of joy and fulfillment.
