Chapter 17, Verse 24 (Bhagavad Gita 17.24)
Chapter 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog – Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith
Sanskrit Shloka
तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः।प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्
Transliteration
tasmād oṁ ity udāhṛitya yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṁ brahma-vādinām
Word Meanings
tasmāt—therefore; om—sacred syllable om; iti—thus; udāhṛitya—by uttering; yajña—sacrifice; dāna—charity; tapaḥ—penance; kriyāḥ—performing; pravartante—begin; vidhāna-uktāḥ—according to the prescriptions of Vedic injunctions; satatam—always; brahma-vādinām—expounders of the Vedas
Translation
Therefore, with the utterance of 'Om,' the acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity, as enjoined in the scriptures, are always begun by the students of the Brahman.
Meaning & Commentary
In this verse, Bhagwan Shri Krishna reveals the sacred methodology of spiritual life, establishing 'Om' as the transcendental gateway to all virtuous actions. By initiating every act of sacrifice, charity, and penance with this eternal syllable, the seeker aligns their individual consciousness with the Supreme Brahman. Shri Krishna teaches that when actions are sanctified by the vibration of Om, they transcend material limitations and become offerings unto the Divine. This practice purifies the ego, ensuring that the devotee remains anchored in the Truth while performing their earthly duties. Thus, the seeker transforms mundane activity into a continuous path leading directly toward liberation and eternal communion with Shri Krishna.