Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 17
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 17
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः।
आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते॥१७॥
Transliteration
Yas-Tv-Atma-Ratir-Eva Syad-Atma-Triptash-Cha Manavah.
Atmany-Eva Cha Santushtas-Tasya Karyam Na Vidyate.||17||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यःyahwho
तुtubut
आत्मरतिःatma-ratihrejoicing in the Self
एवevaalone
स्यात्syatwould be
आत्मतृप्तःatma-triptahsatisfied in the Self
चchaand
मानवःmanavaha person
आत्मनिatmaniin the Self
सन्तुष्टःsantushtahcontented
तस्यtasyafor that person
कार्यम्karyamduty/obligation
नnanot
विद्यतेvidyateexists
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
परन्तु जो मनुष्य आत्मा में ही रमण करने वाला, आत्मा से ही तृप्त और आत्मा में ही सन्तुष्ट हो — उसके लिए कोई कर्तव्य शेष नहीं रहता।
English Translation
But for one who rejoices only in the Self, who is satisfied in the Self, and who is content in the Self alone — for such a person, no obligatory duty exists.
Commentary (टीका)
After emphasizing the necessity of action, Krishna acknowledges the exception — the fully Self-realized soul. One who has transcended all desires and finds complete fulfillment within has no karmic obligation. However, such souls are extremely rare. For everyone else, the path of Karma Yoga remains essential.