When nothing more is needed

yastvātmaratireva syādātmatṛptaśca mānavaḥātmanyeva ca santuṣṭastasya kāryaṃ na vidyate

But for one who delights in the Self, satisfied and content in the Self alone, nothing remains to be done.

What it means

Krishna describes the fully free person. Their joy comes from the atman, the Self. They are satisfied and content within. For them, there is no duty left to fulfil for their own sake. They have nothing to gain. And yet, as the next verses show, such people often act most generously of all.

The story

Arjuna might think, if the wise need nothing, why should they act? Krishna is setting up his answer. Those who need nothing are free to act purely for others. That's the deepest kind of action.

In your life

Think of a wealthy retiree who still teaches kids to read every week, purely for the joy of it. They don't need to. That's why it's beautiful. What would you do if no reward were needed? Do a little of it.