Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 24

Chapter 17 – Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः ।
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥

Transliteration

tasmādomityudāhṛtya yajñadānatapaḥkriyāḥ .
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṃ brahmavādinām ॥

Meaning

Therefore the acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity enjoined by scripture are always begun by the followers of the Veda with the utterance of 'Om'.

Word meanings

तस्मात् – therefore
ॐ इति – the word 'Om'
उदाहृत्य – uttering
यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः – acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity
प्रवर्तन्ते – are begun
विधानोक्ताः – enjoined by scriptural ordinance
सततम् – always
ब्रह्मवादिनाम् – of the expounders and followers of the Veda

Anvaya (word order)

तस्मात् ब्रह्मवादिनां विधानोक्ताः यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः ॐ इति उदाहृत्य सततं प्रवर्तन्ते ।

Explanation

The previous verse declared the glory of Om Tat Sat; Krishna now explains the use of each word in turn, beginning with Om.

Brahmavadinam: the brahmavadins are those who study the Vedas, discourse on Brahman and follow its injunctions. All their scripturally prescribed acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity are begun om ity udahritya, 'uttering Om'.

Why begin every act with Om? Shankara and other commentators give several reasons. First, Om is the symbol of Brahman; uttering it means that the act begins with the remembrance of Brahman, which lessens the doer's ego and dedicates the act to God. Second, Om is auspicious; it removes obstacles and faults that may arise in the act. Third, Om is the seed of all the Vedas, so uttering it invokes the blessing of the whole Veda.

The tradition is alive today. Vedic recitation, chanting of mantras, worship, weddings and house-warmings all begin with Om. Many mantras open with it, such as Om namah shivaya and Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya.

The verse carries a practical message: pause for a moment before beginning any task and remember God. This small practice gives the work a sacred direction and makes the mind calm and focused.

Context

The previous verse called Om Tat Sat the threefold name of Brahman; this verse explains the use of the first word, Om. The next verse explains the use of Tat.

Life lesson

Before starting any task, pause for a moment and remember God. This small practice calms the mind, lessens the ego and gives the work a sacred direction.

Key terms

Brahmavadin: Students and expounders of the Veda who contemplate Brahman
Om ity udahritya: Having uttered 'Om'
Vidhanokta: Enjoined by scriptural ordinance