Chapter 17 — Shraddhatreya Vibhag Yoga

Verse 23
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka

oṁtatsaditi nirdeśo brahmaṇastrividhaḥ smṛtaḥ

brāhmaṇāstena vedāśca yajñāśca vihitāḥ purā

🕉 English Translation

Om aur Tat Sat inko tu jaan,

Parmatma ke he hain teeno naam.

Veda aur Brahman hain yagya jitney bhi,

Usi Ishwar ne rache hain sabhi.

📜 Translation English

'Om Tat Sat'-in these three ways is the Supreme designated i.e. titles have been given. By that Supreme at the beginning of creation the Brahmans, the Vedas and sacrifices, etc. were created.

💬 Commentary English

The Krishna of the active Gita does not want to leave any subject without taking it to its ultimate summit. No main subject of spirituality has been left untouched by the inspirations from the Gita. This is one aspect. A more important aspect is that whatever subject has been taken up, every dimension of it, may it be an essential principle, thought process, practical aspect, all have been clarified from every point of view. In this context, see with care, the concluding verses of this 17th chapter.

The Supreme cannot be defined completely by any designation; that is why the Gita has employed the word 'indication' in a very beautiful manner. Even though the Supreme in several forms has been called by several names; all names are good and are adorable. But in the Vedas these three names from the beginning have been given prominence. Whether it may be the section dealing with rituals or study of self or any dedicated spiritual activity-no assertion can be made for its being complete in itself nor should such a claim be made. Somewhere or other, there can be a some deficiency in the form of pronunciation or rules and regulations, it may happen also; the directive is to utter 'Om Tat Sat' at the end. 'Om Tat Sat' is the name of the Supreme; it is a complete mantra in itself. It is capable of making even the incomplete complete. To overcome deficiency it is a infallible means.

An important indication is found in this verse for the three designations of the Divine and the creation of the Brahmins, the Vedas, and sacrifice at the commencement of creation from the Supreme. Creation did not commence from mere shallow materiality-grasp the hidden deep implication behind this Divine indication of the Gita and realise it. In the form of subjects first of all the Brahmanas, i.e. the intellectual ability of the society came into existence. In the form of rules and regulations for the social organization were created the Vedas so that the organization might work as per laws and procedures and not in accordance with whims and fancies. Amongst the actions worth performing first of all sacrifice is mentioned, i.e. there should be no selfish existence. With the spirit of doing good to others and engaging in their welfare, began the individual and social life.

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