Having abandoned attachment to the fruits of action, ever content, depending on nothing — such a person, even though fully engaged in action, does nothing at all.
Synthesis
Having abandoned attachment to fruits, ever content, depending on nothing — such a person incurs no karma. The Advaita tradition sees the Self-knower acting from fullness. Ramanuja emphasizes contentment from trust in providence. The Bhakti tradition sees joy from God alone. Madhvacharya finds independence in recognizing dependence on God. Abhinavagupta sees the jivanmukta resting in consciousness. Vallabhacharya describes action as overflow of divine bliss. Tilak sees the supremely effective active person. Vivekananda identifies true human freedom.
Commentaries 8 traditions
Shankara describes the state of jīvanmukti — liberation while still embodied. Such a person's body continues to act driven by past momentum (prārabdha karma), but the Self within has no sense of doership. The person literally does nothing despite appearing fully active.
Apply This Verse
Personal Growth
True contentment is not the result of getting everything you want — it's the inner fullness that exists regardless of circumstances. When you act from this fullness rather than from lack, your actions become powerful yet effortless.
Questions this verse answers
- ?"How do I find contentment that doesn't depend on external success?"
- ?"What would it feel like to act without needing a result?"
- ?"How do I become self-sufficient without becoming isolated?"
- ?"Is true contentment really possible in a world of constant desire?"