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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

17.26 17.28

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.27

Om Tat Sat, spiritual faith and proper intention

Īśvara · God

सद्भ‍ावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते ।

प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्द: पार्थ युज्यते ॥ २६ ॥

यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थिति: सदिति चोच्यते ।

कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते ॥ २७ ॥

sad-bhāve sādhu-bhāve ca

sad ity etat prayujyate

praśaste karmaṇi tathā

sac-chabdaḥ pārtha yujyate

yajñe tapasi dāne ca

sthitiḥ sad iti cocyate

karma caiva tad-arthīyaṁ

sad ity evābhidhīyate

Translation

The Absolute Truth is the objective of devotional sacrifice, and it is indicated by the word sat. The performer of such sacrifice is also called sat, as are all works of sacrifice, penance and charity which, true to the absolute nature, are performed to please the Supreme Person, O son of Pṛthā.

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

Acting to Please the Supreme

1
Sat names the Absolute Truth, the devotional sacrificer, and sacrifice, penance and charity done to please the Supreme Person.
2
Prabhupāda explains that oṁ tat sat is used to perfect activities, and association with devotees makes spiritual knowledge clear.
3
Serve the Lord by cooking, helping in His temple or sharing His glories.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 17.26–27

Describes ‘sat’ — Help to dedicate activity to the pleasure of Lord and His devotees

The Absolute Truth is the objective of devotional sacrifice, it is indicated by the word ‘sat’

The performer of such sacrifice is also called ‘sat’

All works of sacrifice, charity and penance performed to please the Lord are also called ‘sat’ and they reveal the true spiritual nature

Imporance of the words “Prasaste karmani” — This indicates prescribed Vedic duties which are the purificatory processes from the time of conception to the end of one’s life

Purpose – Meant for ultimate liberation

Recommendation – In all such activities one should vibrate “Om tat sat”

Importance of the words “Sad-bhave” and “Sadhu-bhave” — Indicates the transcendental situation

Acting in Krishna consciousness is called ‘sattva’

One who is fully conscious of Krishna conscious activities is called ‘sadhu’

Ref. SB 3.25.25: Emphasizes association of devotees (“satam prasangat…”)

PRACTICAL APPLICATION — ‘Om tat sat’ is used when initiating a person or offering a sacred thread and many other yajnas

Importance of “Tad-arthiyam” — Implies offering service to anything which represents the Supreme

e.g. Cooking and helping in the Lords temple or any other kind of work for broadcasting Lord’s glories

Conclusion — These Supreme words ‘Om tat sat’ are thus used in many ways to perfect all activities and make everything complete

Connected verses · 1

Texts 17.27 & 17.28

After hearing which activities are sat, one naturally wishes to know which activities are asat. Krishna responds to this query in the final verse of this chapter.

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