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Chapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith · 28 verses

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Bhakti & surrenderChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith
17.2217.24

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.23

Om Tat Sat, spiritual faith and proper intention

ॐ तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविध: स्मृत: ।

ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिता: पुरा ॥ २३ ॥

oṁ tat sad iti nirdeśo

brahmaṇas tri-vidhaḥ smṛtaḥ

brāhmaṇās tena vedāś ca

yajñāś ca vihitāḥ purā

Translation

From the beginning of creation, the three words oṁ tat sat were used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth. These three symbolic representations were used by brāhmaṇas while chanting the hymns of the Vedas and during sacrifices for the satisfaction of the Supreme.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Oṁ Tat Sat

  1. 1Since creation began, oṁ tat sat has indicated the Supreme Absolute Truth. Brāhmaṇas used these words in Vedic hymns and sacrifices to satisfy the Supreme.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that penance, charity and sacrifice bring spiritual progress when offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  3. 3Follow scriptural rules and perform charity, sacrifice and penance in goodness, aiming to satisfy the Supreme Lord.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 17, The Divisions of Faith: om tat sat, spiritual faith and proper intention.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Loving service and surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 17.23 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 17 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 17.24Om Tat Sat, spiritual faith and proper intentionBG 17.25Om Tat Sat, spiritual faith and proper intentionBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 17.23 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.