Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 17.24 तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः
श्लोक 17.24
तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः ।
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥
tasmādomityudāhṛtya yajñadānatapaḥkriyāḥ |
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṃ brahmavādinām ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
इसलिए वेद के मानने वालों के शास्त्र-विधि से किए जाने वाले यज्ञ, दान और तप के कर्म सदा ॐ का उच्चारण करके ही आरंभ होते हैं।
Meaning in English
Therefore those who follow the Vedas always begin their acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity, as laid down in the scriptures, by uttering 'Om'.
Bhagavad Gita 17.24 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तस्मात् | tasmāt | therefore |
| ओम् इति | om iti | the syllable Om |
| उदाहृत्य | udāhṛtya | uttering |
| यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः | yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ | acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity |
| प्रवर्तन्ते | pravartante | are begun |
| विधानोक्ताः | vidhāna-uktāḥ | as laid down in scripture |
| सततम् | satatam | always |
| ब्रह्मवादिनाम् | brahma-vādinām | of the expounders of Brahman |
Explanation
Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity laid down in scripture are always begun by the followers of the Veda with the utterance of Om. Krishna explains the first word of the formula: Om is spoken at the start of sacred acts so that they are rooted in the Absolute from the very beginning.
Om, the praṇava, is regarded throughout the Upanishads as the sound-symbol of Brahman; the Gita itself calls it the one-syllabled Brahman in 8.13. Shankara notes that brahma-vādinām refers to those who follow and teach the Vedas. Commentators explain that beginning with Om dedicates the act to the divine and sets the right intention. The practice continues today: mantras, prayers and recitations across Hindu traditions almost always begin with Om.
भावार्थ
इसलिए वेदों के जानने वाले लोग शास्त्र-विधि से बताए गए यज्ञ, दान और तप के कार्य सदा ॐ का उच्चारण करके ही आरम्भ करते हैं। इससे कर्म आरम्भ से ही परमात्मा को समर्पित हो जाता है।
Living it today
Start your day or a meaningful task with Om or a short prayer. It sets the intention before the work begins.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 17.24?
Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity laid down in scripture are always begun by the followers of the Veda with the utterance of Om. Krishna explains the first word of the formula: Om is spoken at the start of sacred acts so that they are rooted in the Absolute from the very beginning.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 17.24?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 17 (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 17.24 in daily life?
Start your day or a meaningful task with Om or a short prayer. It sets the intention before the work begins.
Reflected on verse 17.24?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.