Meaning
Supreme God Krishna spoke
But the one on a journey to self-discovery, anchored in their inner, divine Self, truly loving it (ātmaratih), is fully gratified within that Self (ātmatriptah), and finds contentment within (ātmani eva santushtah). For them, no duty exists {not even responsibilities like the performance of yajna rituals prescribed by Prajāpati Brahmā in verses 3:10-15}. (3:17)
Sanskrit
श्रीभगवान् उवाच
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः ।
आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते ॥
Word-by-word
यः तु आत्म-रतिः एव स्यात् आत्म-तृप्तः च मानवः,
आत्मनि एव च सन्तुष्टः तस्य कार्यम् न विद्यते।।
Commentary
The reader may carefully notice the subtle way the Lord is gradually departing from the lower, half-hedonistic spirituality of the Vedas (3:10-15) to the higher spirituality of Self-realization. Another essential message in this verse is the need for humans not to be dependent for peace and happiness on external stimuli or circumstances including rites and rituals and subordinate gods and goddesses, as the soul itself is an unfathomable reservoir of joy.