3.17 — The one who needs nothing, and the work still to be done

Sanskrit · Teaching film · Everyday practice

Speaker: Krishna, addressing Arjuna.

The shloka

यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः ।
आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते ॥ १७ ॥

Brief meaning

But for one who delights only in the self, is satisfied in the self and content in the self alone, there is no duty that must be done.

In the conversation

Krishna describes one who is fully content in the self, for whom no duty remains and nothing is gained or lost. Then he turns back to Arjuna: therefore act, without attachment. The description of the fully realised person is not an excuse to avoid one’s own responsibilities while still on the way.

Word by word

यः तु आत्मरतिः एव स्यात्

But the one who delights only in the self,

आत्मतृप्तः च मानवः

who is satisfied in the self,

आत्मनि एव च सन्तुष्टः

and content in the self alone,

तस्य कार्यम् न विद्यते

for that person no duty remains to be done.

Going deeper

Krishna uses three close words: ātma rati, delight in the self, ātma tṛpta, satisfaction in the self, and ātma santuṣṭa, contentment in the self. For such a person, no kārya, no binding duty, remains. Then comes the word tasmāt, therefore. Arjuna is not yet in that state, so he must act. Asakta means unattached, and param, the highest, is the goal reached through such action.

Everyday reflection

It is tempting to say: I am not attached to anything, so I need not do this chore. But claiming detachment can become a clever way to avoid effort. A simpler test is to do the task carefully, without needing it to go your way. If you can wash up, finish a report or visit someone who is lonely, and not need thanks, detachment is beginning. Which task have you been calling unimportant, when really it is just unwelcome?

Consider today: Spend a few quiet minutes content without seeking anything.