Verse-24
Chapter 17 — Shraddhatreya Vibhag Yoga
Verse 24
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
tasmādomityudāhṛtya yajñadānatapaḥkriyāḥ
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṁ brahmavādinām
🕉 English Translation
Kriya, yagya tap aur daan ki,
Niyat Veda granthon mein jo hai huyee.
Le Om ka naam pehle hee vo,
Shuru karte phir aisee kriyaon ko.
📜 Translation
English
Therefore, the actions of those wise ones who recite the mantras of the Vedas, like sacrifice, charity and austerity as enjoined by the scriptures always commence with the utterance of the syllable OM which is the name of the Supreme.
OM is an eternal name indicative of the Absolute, Omnipresent Supreme. 'Tasya vachakah pranavah' (Patanjal Yoga Darshan) the recitation of the Vedic verses and mantras commences with the pronouncement of OM. That is why the Vedic people who recite the Vedic mantras, before beginning any action utter OM.
Here the reference of Vedic persons and utterance of OM has definitely been made; but it should not be seen in the narrow light of any ideology or thought stream. The Gita is a scripture for lifting people above narrowness; it is the gist of the Vedas. Which are our basic scriptures; the Lord Himself gives honour to the tradition of the Vedas and also wants others to do so. That is why is found such an indication. The aspect of inspiration is that the actions of austerity, sacrifice and charity should take place and it is good also; but not as per one's own fancies, it should be as ordained by the scriptures and should begin with the pronouncement of the syllable OM; that is the name of the Divine! This recitation will take away any possible deficiency in the proposed task, and will not allow egoism to take hold in any of the tasks which is undertaken.