Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yogam Verse 23:
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This Has Been Designated As The Threefold Indicator Of The Eternal Essence: Om, Tat, Sat
ॐ तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविध: स्मृत: |
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिता: पुरा || 17.23||
oṁ tat sad iti nirdeśho brahmaṇas tri-vidhaḥ smṛitaḥ
brāhmaṇās tena vedāśh cha yajñāśh cha vihitāḥ purā|| 17.23||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 17- Ver. 23:
Since the beginning of creation, the phrase “Om Tat Sat” has been recognized as a sign for the Supreme Absolute Truth. Priests, texts, and sacrifice all descended from them.
Explanation
According to the three forms of material nature, Shree Krishna described the categories of yajña (sacrifice), tapaḥ (austerity), and dān (charity), The mode of ignorance, out of these three, reduces the soul to naivete, dullness, and sloth. The living being is excited by the mode of passion, which ties it to countless desires.
The goodness mode fosters the growth of virtues and is calming and illuminating. But the mode of kindness also exists in the Mayan world. We must avoid being enamoured with it and instead use the goodness mode as a stepping-stone to the transcendental platform. In this verse, Shree Krishna explores the phrases Om Tat Sat, which stand for several facets of the Absolute Truth, going beyond the three gunas.
Verse & what we can learn
How can we tell whether our faith has a sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic texture? Shri Krishna responded that we must draw this conclusion from our behaviour and the mentality that motivates it. The three sorts of food—sacrifice, repentance, and charity—were then demonstrated to us. We should gradually reduce our rajasic and satvic behaviour and increase our satvic behaviour, according to the lesson. But even if we succeed in just engaging in sattvic behaviours, there is always a potential that an error would manifest.
Shri Krishna provides us with a formula and a method to fix flaws and mistakes in sattvic activities. This phrase is made from of the words Om, Tat, and Sat. Each of the three terms represents the brahman, the eternal essence. In actuality, the Vedas use each of these terms to describe the eternal essence. Recall that the everlasting essence is unnamed and unformed. These are merely pointing terms.
The origin of this purifier is given to us by Shri Krishna. As we saw in the third chapter, Prajapati, Lord Brahma, created the universe alongside the offering and the Vedas. He also produced brahmanas, people who followed the Vedas’ ceremonies and sacrifices. When performing sacrifices, these brahmanas would always employ Om Tat Sat to clear away any errors from the rites. Now, anytime we carry out satvic deeds, they immediately turn into a sacrifice, according to the teaching of karma yoga. As a result, we too can use Om Tat Sat to cleanse our satvic deeds.
To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.
There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.
In the next shloka Shri Krishna tells about “Om”.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…