Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 26

Chapter 17 – Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते ।
प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ॥

Transliteration

sadbhāve sādhubhāve ca sadityetatprayujyate .
praśaste karmaṇi tathā sacchabdaḥ pārtha yujyate ॥

Meaning

The word 'Sat' is used in the sense of reality and of goodness; and likewise, O Partha, the word 'Sat' is used for any praiseworthy act.

Word meanings

सद्भावे – in the sense of reality, existence
साधुभावे – in the sense of goodness
च – and
सत् – 'Sat'
इति – thus
एतत् – this (word)
प्रयुज्यते – is used
प्रशस्ते – praiseworthy, auspicious
कर्मणि – for an act
तथा – likewise
सच्छब्दः – the word 'Sat'
पार्थ – O Partha
युज्यते – is employed

Anvaya (word order)

पार्थ, सद्भावे साधुभावे च ‘सत्’ इति एतत् प्रयुज्यते; तथा प्रशस्ते कर्मणि (अपि) सत्-शब्दः युज्यते ।

Explanation

After Om and Tat, Krishna now explains the meaning and use of the third word, Sat. Sat is one of the richest words in Sanskrit, and in this verse Krishna gives three of its meanings.

First, sad-bhave, in the sense of reality or existence. The root meaning of sat is 'that which is', the real. Shankara gives an example: when someone who had no son now has one, sat is used for this coming into existence. In the ultimate sense only Brahman is fully sat, because it alone never ceases to be.

Second, sadhu-bhave, in the sense of goodness. When a person gives up wrongdoing and becomes virtuous, he is called a satpurusha, a good person. In words such as sajjana (good person), satsanga (good company) and sadachara (good conduct), sat carries this meaning. What is good is sat.

Third, prashaste karmani, for a praiseworthy, auspicious act. Auspicious undertakings such as weddings, sacrifices and acts of charity are called satkarma, good works.

There is a deep connection among these three meanings. That which purely is, Brahman, is also the supremely good, and the action that leads towards it is auspicious. The word Sat thus ties existence, ethics and action into a single thread. When we call an action sat, we connect it with truth, goodness and ultimate reality.

Context

The previous verse explained the use of Tat; this verse gives the meanings of Sat. The next verse gives further uses of Sat, including steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity and charity.

Life lesson

Sat means truth, goodness and auspicious action all at once. Bring these three together in your life: stand on truth, live with goodness and do good works.

Key terms

Sat: A word signifying reality, goodness and auspicious action
Sad-bhava: Reality, the state of existence
Sadhu-bhava: Goodness, virtue
Prashasta karma: A praiseworthy, auspicious act