BG 17.24

The scriptures prescribed that all acts of sacrifice, gifts, and austerities commence with the utterance of "Om".

तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्

tasmād — therefore
oṁ — sacred syllable Om
ity — thus
udāhṛitya — by uttering
yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ — performing sacrifice, charity, and penance
- yajña — sacrifice
- dāna — charity
- tapaḥ — penance
- kriyāḥ — performing
pravartante — begin
vidhānoktāḥ — according to scriptural directives
vidhāna-uktāḥ
satataṁ — always
brahma-vādinām — expounders of the Vedas
- brahma — Brahma
- vādinām

"Om Tat Sat" is the threefold designation of Brahman, by which the scriptures, ceremonies, and sacrifices have been ordained.

[23]

The scriptures prescribed that all acts of sacrifice, gifts, and austerities commence with the utterance of "Om".

[24]

Acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity, performed without thought of reward, are performed after uttering "Tat".

[25]

The word "Sat" refers to the existence of that which is good. As such, it is used to refer to an auspicious action.

[26]

Devotion to sacrifice, austerity, and charity is also referred to as "Sat", as is any action for such purposes.

[27]

Acts of sacrifice, charity, or penance, when performed without faith, are called "Asat". Such acts have no significance in this world and the next.

[28]

BG 17.24 Listen