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Bhagavad-gītā 17.24

తస్మాద్ ఓం ఇత్యుదాహృత్య యజ్ఞదానతప:క్రియా: । ప్రవర్తన్తే విధానోక్తా: సతతం బ్రహ్మవాదినామ్ ॥ ౨౪ ॥
tasmād oṁ ity udāhṛtya
[tasmaad om ity udaahritya]
yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ
[yajna-daana-tapah-kriyaah]
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ
[pravartante vidhaanoktaah]
satataṁ brahma-vādinām
[satatam brahma-vaadinaam]
Word-for-word
tasmāt — therefore oṁ — beginning with oṁ iti — thus udāhṛtya — indicating yajña — of sacrifice dāna — charity tapaḥ — and penance kriyāḥ — performances pravartante — begin vidhāna - uktāḥ — according to scriptural regulation satatam — always brahma - vādinām — of the transcendentalists .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tasmād oṁ ity udāhṛtya
tasmāt
therefore
oṁ
beginning with oṁ
iti
thus
udāhṛtya
indicating
yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ
yajña
of sacrifice
dāna
charity
tapaḥ
and penance
kriyāḥ
performances
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ
pravartante
begin
vidhāna - uktāḥ
according to scriptural regulation
satataṁ brahma-vādinām
satatam
always
brahma - vādinām
of the transcendentalists .
Important Words
  • tasmāt — therefore
    Ablative of tat. The verse begins with a logical 'therefore' — Kṛṣṇa is drawing a practical consequence from the previous verse's metaphysical claim. Oṁ tat sat designate the Absolute; therefore the Absolute-seeker must employ them.
  • udāhṛtya — indicating, having uttered
    Gerund of ud + ā + √hṛ — to lift up and bring forth. Note: the syllable is to be lifted out audibly. The verse insists on actual utterance, not mere mental invocation. Sound, not just thought, consecrates.
  • kriyāḥ — performances
    From √kṛ — to do. Plural feminine: 'the various performances' of yajña, dāna, and tapaḥ (with which it stands in compound in the verse). The word reunites the three pillars of dharmic action that the chapter has been analysing one by one. The three are now to be unified under one consecratory syllable — kriyāḥ marks the unification.
  • pravartante — begin
    Present middle of pra + √vṛt — 'turn forth, set into motion.' The middle voice reflects: the action turns forth from the doer with Oṁ as the first impetus. The syllable is the ignition, not an afterthought.
  • brahma - vādinām — of the transcendentalists
    Compound: brahma (the Absolute) + vādin (one who speaks of) + genitive plural. 'Those who speak of Brahman' — the technical term for those whose discourse and life are oriented to the Absolute. Kṛṣṇa restricts the practice to such persons: Oṁ is not for casual ornament.
Therefore, transcendentalists undertaking performances of sacrifice, charity and penance in accordance with scriptural regulations begin always with oṁ, to attain the Supreme.
Purport

Oṁ tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam ( Ṛg Veda 1.22.20). The lotus feet of Viṣṇu are the supreme devotional platform. The performance of everything on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead assures the perfection of all activity.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
25. Uttering tat, persons aspiring for liberation performed sacrifice, austerity and charity without seeking results.
Commentary

Uttering the word tat (tad iti), udāhṛtya being understood from the previous verse, they perform activities such as charity. Anabhisandhaya means without seeking results.

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
25. Uttering tat, persons aspiring for liberation performed sacrifice, austerity and charity without seeking results.
Commentary

Sacrifice, austerity and charity were performed by those desiring liberation, along with the chanting of the name tat, without aspiration for material benefits. The word tat is very powerful because it produces a desire for liberation, by uttering it with absence of desire.

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

Describes ‘Om’

Purpose – Helps one to remember the Lord
‘Om’ means ‘Vishnu’ – This is placed at the beginning of the Vedic Hymns to indicate the Supreme goal and thus attain the Supreme
Ref. Rg Veda 1.22.20 – The lotus feet of Vishnu are the ‘Supreme devotional platform’
Performance of everything on behalf of Supreme Lord assures perfection of all activities
Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
17.24 Tasmat, therefore; yajna-dana-tapah, kriyah, acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity-acts in the form of sacrifice etc.; vidhana-uktah, as prescribed through injunctions, as ordained by the scriptures; brahma-vadinam, of those who study and expound the Vedas; satatam, always; pravartante, commence; udahrtya, after uttering; om iti, the syllable Om.
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
17.24 After pronouncing Om, the Vedas are recited. Thus the connection of the syllable Om with the Vedas and the rituals enjoined in the Vedas such as sacrifices has been described. As the Vedas are connected with the word Om, all belonging to the three stations of life who memorise the Vedas and perform the rituals inculcated in them, are included in the expression, 'expounders of the Vedas.' Now, He describes the manner by which the word Tat is connected with them:
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
17.24 See Comment under 17.27
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
17.24 Therefore, with the utterance of "Om" are the acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity as enjoined in the scriptures, always begun by the students of Brahman.
Commentary

17.24 तस्मात् therefore? Om? इति thus? उदाहृत्य uttering? यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः the acts of sacrifice? gift and austerity? प्रवर्तन्ते begin? विधानोक्ताः as enjoined in the scriptures? सततम् always? ब्रह्मवादिनाम् of the students of Brahman. Commentary Those who are knowers of the scriptures have a vivid impression of Om in their minds by means of meditation and then they will utter the Pranava with the proper attitude and feeling. Then meditating on Om and uttering it? they perform the sacrifices. Just as a hillstick is very useful in climbing a hill? just as a boat is very useful in crossing a river? so also Om is very useful and important at the commencement of an action or sacrifice.It is not desirable to renounce actions or sacrifices to attain union with the Lord. What is wanted is total and perfect surrender of all actions to God. Sacrifice? charity and austerity are not hindrances to the attainment of Selfrealisation on the contrary the attainment of liberation is rendered easy by their performance without any selfish desires or egoism.

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
17.24 Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity as prescribed through injunctions, of those who study and expound the Vedas, always commence after uttering the syllable Om.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
17.24 Therefore all acts of sacrifice, gifts and austerities, prescribed by the scriptures, are always begun by those who understand the Spirit with the word Om.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Ahimsa (Non-violence / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Maitri (Friendship / Goodwill)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)
Related verses
BG 17.23 BG 8.13 BG 9.27 SB 2.9.8 SB 4.7.41 SB 11.21.36 CC Madhya 25.58 CC Ādi 7.128 CC Madhya 6.148 Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 1Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.17
Concepts
Yajna
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Sacrifices, charity, austerities according to scripture begin with Om — the way to attain the Supreme.
Practical Applications
  • Begin spiritual acts with Om audibly when appropriate.
  • Use the syllable as gateway.
  • Trust the technical specification.
Reflection Questions
  • What acts could I begin with Om that I haven't?
  • What does the gateway practice change?
Analogy

Beginning every act with Oṁ is like striking a tuning fork before the music starts. The fork does not play the song — but the song will be out of tune without it. Oṁ tunes the act to the frequency of the Absolute before the first real note sounds.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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