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Chapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith · 28 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Bhakti & surrenderChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith

17.23 17.25

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.24

Om Tat Sat, spiritual faith and proper intention

Īśvara · God

तस्माद् ॐ इत्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतप:क्रिया: ।

प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ता: सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥ २४ ॥

tasmād oṁ ity udāhṛtya

yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ

pravartante vidhānoktāḥ

satataṁ brahma-vādinām

Translation

Therefore, transcendentalists undertaking performances of sacrifice, charity and penance in accordance with scriptural regulations begin always with oṁ, to attain the Supreme.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Begin with Oṁ

1
Transcendentalists begin sacrifice, charity and penance with oṁ, following scripture to attain the Supreme.
2
Prabhupāda explains that Viṣṇu’s lotus feet are the supreme devotional platform, and acting for the Supreme Personality of Godhead perfects all activity.
3
Perform your activities on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport

Describes ‘Om’

Purpose – Helps one to remember the Lord

‘Om’ means ‘Vishnu’ – This is placed at the beginning of the Vedic Hymns to indicate the Supreme goal and thus attain the Supreme

Ref. Rg Veda 1.22.20 – The lotus feet of Vishnu are the ‘Supreme devotional platform’

Performance of everything on behalf of Supreme Lord assures perfection of all activities

The Conclusion: Om Tat Sat

All activities are contaminated by the modes

These defects can be offset by acting, even if within the modes of nature, in Krishna’s service:

“Om tat sat”

Conclusion is that when sacrifice, penance and austerity are performed without faith in the Supreme – without a transcendental goal – they are useless in this life and next

Chapter 17, section VI: The Conclusion: Om Tat Sat