In Bhagavad Gita 3.17, Krishna says that for one who delights only in the Self, is satisfied in the Self and content in the Self, there is no duty to be done.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्याद्
आत्मतृप्तश्च मानवः
आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्
तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते ॥ ३-१७ ॥
yastvātmaratireva syād
ātmatṛptaśca mānavaḥ
ātmanyeva ca santuṣṭas
tasya kāryaṃ na vidyate
English transliteration yastvaatmaratireva syaad
aatmatriptashcha maanavah
aatmanyeva cha santushtas
tasya kaaryam na vidyate ॥ 3.17 ॥
Translation / Meaning
But for one who delights only in the Self, who is satisfied in the Self, and who is content in the Self alone, there is nothing that must be done.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यः yaḥ | who |
| तु tu | but |
| आत्मरतिः ātmaratiḥ | delighting in the Self ātma (Self) + ratiḥ (delight) |
| एव eva | only |
| स्यात् syāt | may be |
| आत्मतृप्तः ātmatṛptaḥ | satisfied in the Self ātma (Self) + tṛptaḥ (satisfied) |
| 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 |
| न na | not |
| विद्यते vidyate | exists |
Word-wise Chanting
- yas–tvāt–ma–ra–ti–re–va syād– 8 syllables yas-tvaat-ma-ra-ti-re-va syaad-
- āt–ma–tṛp–taś–ca mā–na–vaḥ | 8 syllables aat-ma-trip-tash-cha maa-na-vah
- āt–man–ye–va ca san–tuṣ–ṭas– 8 syllables aat-man-ye-va cha san-tush-tas-
- tas–ya kār–yaṃ na vid–ya–te || 3-17 8 syllables tas-ya kaar-yam na vid-ya-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 3 Verse 17
Context
After stressing the duty of action (3.8–3.16), Krishna describes the exception: the realised sage (3.17–3.18).
Meaning
The person who has realised the Self finds delight, satisfaction and contentment within. Such a person has no personal need to fulfil through action; there is nothing left to gain. For them, no duty in the ordinary sense remains, because all duties exist to lead us to this fulfilment.
This is not a licence for laziness, as the following verses show. It describes the inner freedom of the realised. For most of us, duties remain essential means of growth. Yet the verse reminds us of the goal: a fullness so complete that action becomes free, spontaneous service rather than obligation.
In Practice
Spend a few minutes resting in quiet contentment, not seeking anything. Let it remind you of the fullness that all your efforts are really seeking.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.