सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः | मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्तः स मे प्रियः || १४ ||
santuṣṭaḥ satataṁ yogī yatātmā dṛḍha-niścayaḥ mayy arpita-mano-buddhir yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ
santuṣṭaḥ—always satisfied; satatam—always; yogī—one engaged in devotion; yata-ātmā—self-controlled; dṛḍha-niścayaḥ—with determination; mayi—unto Me; arpita—surrendered; manaḥ—mind; buddhiḥ—intelligence; yaḥ—one who; mat-bhaktaḥ—My devotee; saḥ—that person; me—to Me; priyaḥ—dear.
“Ever content, steady in yoga, self-controlled, of firm resolve, with mind and intellect surrendered to Me — that devotee of Mine is dear to Me.”
Contentment (santushtah) here does not mean complacency or passivity. It is the inner settledness that comes from no longer looking to external circumstances to provide what only the Self can provide. The yogi who has this quality still acts vigorously in the world but is not destabilized by results. The firm resolve (dridha-nischayah) refers to the unwavering commitment to the path despite all obstacles.
Contentment is a practice, not a personality type. Whenever you notice discontentment arising, pause and ask: 'What am I believing must be different for me to be at peace?' Often, the answer reveals an unnecessary condition we have placed on our own happiness. The devotee's contentment is unconditional — and that is precisely what makes it a spiritual quality rather than a circumstantial mood.