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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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Soul & knowledgeChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.163.18

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.17

Self-realization and freedom from selfish need

यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्त‍श्च मानवः ।

आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते ॥ १७ ॥

yas tv ātma-ratir eva syād

ātma-tṛptaś ca mānavaḥ

ātmany eva ca santuṣṭas

tasya kāryaṁ na vidyate

Translation

But for one who takes pleasure in the Self, whose human life is one of self-realization, and who is satisfied in the Self only, fully satiated – for him there is no duty.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Satisfied in the Self

  1. 1One who takes pleasure in the Self and is fully satisfied in self-realization has no duty to perform.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that full Kṛṣṇa consciousness cleanses all impiety and makes one sure of one’s eternal relationship with the Supreme.
  3. 3By the Lord’s grace, such a person’s duty becomes clear, and material pleasures no longer attract them.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 3, Karma-yoga: self-realization and freedom from selfish need.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Discern the eternal self from the temporary.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.17 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to soul & knowledge?

Practice

Spend five minutes reflecting on what in you does not change.

4

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 3.18Self-realization and freedom from selfish needBG 2.13The self endures bodily changeBG 4.34The humility of real inquiry

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 3.17 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.