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Bhagwad Gita (English) | Chapter 17 | Verse 23

Chapter 17, Verse 23

The Divisions of Faith

From the beginning of creation, the three syllables-om tat sat-have been used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth [Brahman]. They were uttered by brahmanas while chanting Vedic hymns and during sacrifices, for the satisfaction of the Supreme.

Verse

तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः।ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा।।17.23।।


oṁ tat sad iti nirdeśho brahmaṇas tri-vidhaḥ smṛitaḥ
brāhmaṇās tena vedāśh cha yajñāśh cha vihitāḥ purā

Meaning of each word

om tat sat — syllables representing aspects of transcendence;
iti — thus;
nirdeśhaḥ — symbolic representatives;
brahmaṇaḥ — the Supreme Absolute Truth;
tri-vidhaḥ — of three kinds;
smṛitaḥ — have been declared;
brāhmaṇāḥ — the priests;
tena — from them;
vedāḥ — scriptures;
cha — and;
yajñāḥ — sacrifice;
cha — and;
vihitāḥ — came about;
purā — from the beginning of creation

Interpretation

This verse emphasizes the importance of three specific sounds: 'om', 'tat', and 'sat'. These sounds are powerful symbols that connect us to the ultimate truth of existence, known as Brahman, or the Supreme Absolute Truth. These were used right from the start of creation by the priests, called brahmanas, when they recited holy texts and performed rituals or sacrifices. The purpose of these actions was to please the Supreme being.

In simpler terms, think of 'om', 'tat', and 'sat' as a way to communicate with the highest spiritual reality. Just like we might use special words to express our thoughts or feelings, these sounds serve to remind us of the greater truth and our connection to it.

The verse also explains that activities like penance (self-discipline), sacrifice (giving up something), and charity (helping others) can be categorized into three groups: goodness, passion, and ignorance. These groups show how our actions are influenced by different attitudes or states of mind. In everyday life, for instance, when we do something good, like volunteering or helping a friend, that's linked with goodness. On the other hand, if we do something just for showing off, like giving to charity to gain praise, that's more connected to passion.

What makes these activities truly valuable is when they're done with the intent to connect with the Supreme Truth—reflecting the spirit of 'om tat sat'. This means that if our actions serve to bring us closer to an understanding of the Supreme, they help us grow spiritually. It’s like realizing that your everyday actions, whether big or small, can contribute to a deeper, more meaningful life if they are directed towards higher purposes.

Overall, this verse is encouraging us to be mindful of our intentions when we perform any action. If we focus our efforts on spiritual goals and the greater good, even simple things can become significant steps on our spiritual journey.

Other Verses of Chapter 17
Verse 1
Arjuna said, O Krsna, what is the situation of one who does not follow the principles of scripture but worships according to his own imagination? Is he in goodness, in passion or in ignorance?
Verse 2
The Supreme Lord said, according to the modes of nature acquired by the embodied soul, one's faith can be of three kinds-goodness, passion or ignorance. Now hear about these.
Verse 3
According to one's existence under the various modes of nature, one evolves a particular kind of faith. The living being is said to be of a particular faith according to the modes he has acquired.
Verse 4
Men in the mode of goodness worship the demigods; those in the mode of passion worship the demons; and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits.
Verse 5
Those men who practice terrific austerities not prescribed by the scriptures, given to hypocrisy and egoism, driven by the force of lust and attachment.
Verse 6
Know thou these to be of demonical resolves, senselessly torturing all the elements in the body and Me who dwell in the body.
Verse 7
Even food of which all partake is of three kinds, according to the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities and charity. Listen, and I shall tell you of the distinctions of these.
Verse 8
The foods that increase life, purity, strength, health, joy, and cheerfulness (good appetite), which are savory, oily, substantial, and agreeable, are dear to the Sattvic (pure) people.
Verse 9
The foods that are bitter, sour, salty, overly hot, pungent, dry, and burning are liked by the Rajasic and are productive of pain, grief, and disease.
Verse 10
That which is stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten, rejected, and impure is the food liked by the Tamasic.
Verse 11
Of sacrifices, that sacrifice performed according to duty and to scriptural rules, and with no expectation of reward, is of the nature of goodness.
Verse 12
But that sacrifice performed for some material end or benefit or performed ostentatiously, out of pride, is of the nature of passion, O chief of the Bharatas.
Verse 13
And that sacrifice performed in defiance of scriptural injunctions, in which no spiritual food is distributed, no hymns are chanted and no remunerations are made to the priests, and which is faithless—that sacrifice is of the nature of ignorance.
Verse 14
The austerity of the body consists in this: worship of the Supreme Lord, the brahmanas, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and mother. Cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence are also austerities of the body.
Verse 15
Austerity of speech consists in speaking truthfully and beneficially and in avoiding speech that offends. One should also recite the Vedas regularly.
Verse 16
And serenity, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purity of thought are the austerities of the mind.
Verse 17
This threefold austerity, practiced by men whose aim is not to benefit themselves materially but to please the Supreme, is of the nature of goodness.
Verse 18
Those ostentatious penances and austerities which are performed in order to gain respect, honor and reverence are said to be in the mode of passion. They are neither stable nor permanent.
Verse 19
And those penances and austerities which are performed foolishly by means of obstinate self-torture, or to destroy or injure others, are said to be in the mode of ignorance.
Verse 20
That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness.
Verse 21
But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in the mode of passion.
Verse 22
And charity performed at an improper place and time and given to unworthy persons without respect and with contempt is charity in the mode of ignorance.
Verse 24
Thus the transcendentalists undertake sacrifices, charities, and penances, beginning always with om, to attain the Supreme.
Verse 25
One should perform sacrifice, penance and charity with the word tat. The purpose of such transcendental activities is to get free from the material entanglement.
Verse 26
The word "Sat" is used to refer to reality and goodness; likewise, O Arjuna, the word "Sat" is used to refer to an auspicious act.
Verse 27
Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and gift is also called 'Sat', and action in connection with these, or for the sake of the Supreme, is also called 'Sat'.
Verse 28
But sacrifices, austerities and charities performed without faith in the Supreme are nonpermanent, O son of Prtha, regardless of whatever rites are performed. They are called asat and are useless both in this life and the next.
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