tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ nitya-tṛpto nirāśrayaḥ karmaṇy abhipravṛtto 'pi naiva kiñcit karoti saḥ
"Having abandoned attachment to the fruits of action, ever content, dependent on nothing—though fully engaged in action, such a person does nothing at all."
What This Means:
The liberated person has dropped attachment to results, is always content, depends on nothing external for happiness. Even while fully engaged in action, they're essentially not doing anything—because there's no doer-ship, no binding karma being created.
Going Deeper:
'Nitya-tripta' (ever content) indicates fullness that doesn't depend on action's outcome. 'Nirashraya' (without support/dependence) means not leaning on external props for security. 'Naiva kinchit karoti' (does nothing at all) seems to contradict 'karmany abhipravritta' (engaged in action)—but it's the paradox of verse 18 in practice. The body acts; the Self is still.
How To Apply This:
Cultivate inner contentment that doesn't rise and fall with external success. Before you can act without attachment, you need an internal source of fulfillment. If you're acting from emptiness trying to get filled, you'll always be attached to results. Fill up first; then act from overflow.
Key Sanskrit Terms: