Chapter 17, Verse 23 (Bhagavad Gita 17.23)
Chapter 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog – Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith
Sanskrit Shloka
तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः।ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा
Transliteration
oṁ tat sad iti nirdeśho brahmaṇas tri-vidhaḥ smṛitaḥ brāhmaṇās tena vedāśh cha yajñāśh cha vihitāḥ purā
Word Meanings
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
Translation
“Om Tat Sat”: this is declared to be the threefold designation of the Supreme Absolute, Brahman. By this, the brahmanas, the Vedas, and the sacrifices were ordained in the beginning of creation.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound verse, Lord Krishna reveals the sacred mantra that connects the finite soul to the Infinite. By chanting 'Om Tat Sat', a seeker purifies their actions, aligning the ego with the transcendental reality of the Supreme Brahman. Lord Krishna explains that this triple designation is the foundational vibration upon which all cosmic order, sacred knowledge, and spiritual rituals are built. When an aspirant performs their duties with this consciousness, every act becomes a sacrifice offered directly to Shri Krishna. Ultimately, this practice dissolves the boundaries of material existence, guiding the soul toward the eternal liberation of moksha.