The Yoga of Knowledge

Arjuna asked (2.54): how does a person of steady wisdom live? Krishna begins his answer by defining two qualities. First, 'prajahāti kāmān mano-gatān'—they abandon desires dwelling in the mind. Not suppressing wants, but seeing through the pattern: 'I need that to be happy.' When you see desires don't lead to lasting fulfillment, they naturally drop away. Second, 'ātmanā tuṣṭaḥ'—content by self alone. Fulfillment isn't found in getting things; it's already present 'ātmani'—in yourself. This is transformation, not renunciation: you work and engage life, but from inner contentment rather than desperate craving.