Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.17 यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः
श्लोक 3.17
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः ।
आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते ॥
yastvātmaratireva syādātmatṛptaśca mānavaḥ |
ātmanyeva ca santuṣṭastasya kāryaṃ na vidyate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
परंतु जो मनुष्य आत्मा में ही रमता है, आत्मा में ही तृप्त है और आत्मा में ही संतुष्ट है, उसके लिए कोई कर्तव्य शेष नहीं रहता।
Meaning in English
But for the person who delights only in the Self, is satisfied in the Self and content in the Self alone, there remains no duty to be done.
Bhagavad Gita 3.17 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यः | yaḥ | who |
| तु | tu | but |
| आत्मरतिः | ātma-ratiḥ | delighting in the Self |
| एव | eva | only |
| स्यात् | syāt | may be |
| आत्मतृप्तः | ātma-tṛptaḥ | satisfied in the Self |
| च | ca | and |
| मानवः | mānavaḥ | a person |
| आत्मनि | ātmani | in the Self |
| एव | eva | alone |
| च | ca | and |
| सन्तुष्टः | santuṣṭaḥ | content |
| तस्य | tasya | for him |
| कार्यम् | kāryam | duty, anything to be done |
| न विद्यते | na vidyate | does not exist |
Explanation
But for one who delights only in the Self, is satisfied in the Self and content in the Self alone, there is nothing left that must be done.
Krishna now describes the exception: the person who has realised the Self needs nothing from the world, so duty no longer binds them. Shankara uses this verse to argue that the knower of the Self is beyond prescribed action and may renounce it. Ramanuja and Tilak note that the very next verses still urge such a person to act for the welfare of the world, as Krishna himself does. The verse describes a state, not a shortcut to claim.
भावार्थ
परन्तु जो मनुष्य आत्मा में ही रमण करने वाला, आत्मा में ही तृप्त और आत्मा में ही सन्तुष्ट है, उसके लिए कोई कर्तव्य शेष नहीं रहता।
Living it today
Contentment that comes from within frees you from chasing. From that freedom, you can work without needing the work to fill you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.17?
But for one who delights only in the Self, is satisfied in the Self and content in the Self alone, there is nothing left that must be done.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.17?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.17 in daily life?
Contentment that comes from within frees you from chasing. From that freedom, you can work without needing the work to fill you.
Reflected on verse 3.17?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.