यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः | आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते ||३-१७||
yastvātmaratireva syādātmatṛptaśca mānavaḥ .
ātmanyeva ca santuṣṭastasya kāryaṃ na vidyate ||3-17||
But for that man who rejoices only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self and who is content in the Self alone, verily there is nothing to do.
In simple words
Krishna describes the exception: "But for the rare person who finds complete joy within themselves — who needs nothing from outside to feel whole — there is truly nothing they need to do."
यःwhoतुbutआत्मरतिःwho rejoices in the Selfएवonlyस्यात्may beआत्मतृप्तःsatisfied in the Selfचandमानवःthe manआत्मनिin the Selfएवonlyचandसन्तुष्टःcontentedतस्यhisकार्यम्work to be done
3.17 यः who? तु but? आत्मरतिः who rejoices in the Self? एव only? स्यात् may be? आत्मतृप्तः satisfied in the Self? च and? मानवः the man? आत्मनि in the Self? एव only? च and? सन्तुष्टः contented? तस्य his? कार्यम् work to be done? न not? विद्यते is.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).
Commentaries
Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.
This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.
Modern
# BG 3.17
For most seekers, the path of action performed in the spirit of sacrifice is necessary, for through such selfless work, the personality becomes organized and refined, and the capacity for meditation awakens within. When the purification of the inner instrument and the one-pointed focus gained through selfless action are directed toward deep contemplation, the seeker experiences the realization of their pure Self beyond the ego. For the perfected sage who has attained completeness, action no longer serves as a means to purify the mind—rather, actions become merely the spontaneous expression of their direct realization of the Divine.
It is a well-known truth that we engage in action for the sake of fulfillment and contentment. Fulfillment and contentment are, as it were, the two wheels of life's chariot. For their attainment, we remain engaged in earning, protecting, accumulating, and spending wealth. Yet the one established in Self-realization experiences that fulfillment and contentment within their own infinite bliss, and thus has no further need for external objects.
Where fulfillment and contentment exist, how can desires for happiness arise? Where desires do not exist, how can action persist? Thus, in one free from ignorance of the Self, desire, distraction, and action are entirely absent. Naturally, such a person has no binding duties. The purpose of all actions is fully realized in them. Therefore, they cannot be bound by the ordinary laws of the world. Such a divine being walks upon the earth.