In Bhagavad Gita 17.23, Krishna says Om Tat Sat is the threefold designation of Brahman; by it the brahmins, the Vedas and sacrifices were established of old.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ॐतत्सदिति निर्देशो
ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च
यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा ॥ १७-२३ ॥
oṃtatsaditi nirdeśo
brahmaṇastrividhaḥ smṛtaḥ
brāhmaṇāstena vedāśca
yajñāśca vihitāḥ purā
English transliteration omtatsaditi nirdesho
brahmanastrividhah smritah
braahmanaastena vedaashcha
yajnaashcha vihitaah puraa ॥ 17.23 ॥
Translation / Meaning
“Om Tat Sat” is declared to be the threefold designation of Brahman. By this, the brahmins, the Vedas and the sacrifices were ordained in ancient times.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ओम् om | Om |
| तत् tat | Tat |
| सत् sat | Sat |
| इति iti | thus |
| निर्देशः nirdeśaḥ | designation |
| ब्रह्मणः brahmaṇaḥ | of Brahman |
| त्रिविधः trividhaḥ | threefold |
| स्मृतः smṛtaḥ | is declared |
| ब्राह्मणाः brāhmaṇāḥ | the brahmins |
| तेन tena | by this |
| वेदाः vedāḥ | the Vedas |
| च ca | and |
| यज्ञाः yajñāḥ | the sacrifices |
| च ca | and |
| विहिताः vihitāḥ | ordained |
| पुरा purā | in ancient times |
Word-wise Chanting
- oṃ–tat–sa–di–ti nir–de–śo 8 syllables om-tat-sa-di-ti nir-de-sho
- brah–ma–ṇas–tri–vi–dhaḥ smṛ–taḥ | 8 syllables brah-ma-nas-tri-vi-dhah smri-tah
- brāh–ma–ṇās–te–na ve–dāś–ca 8 syllables braah-ma-naas-te-na ve-daash-cha
- ya–jñāś–ca vi–hi–tāḥ pu–rā || 17-23 8 syllables ya-jnaash-cha vi-hi-taah pu-raa
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 17 Verse 23
Context
Krishna introduces the sacred formula Om Tat Sat (17.23–17.28).
Meaning
Om Tat Sat is a threefold nirdeśa, name, of Brahman. Om is the sacred syllable; Tat, “That”, points to the transcendent; Sat means “the Real” and “the Good”. Through this formula, the priests, the scriptures and the rites were established.
This mantra sanctifies all action by connecting it to the Absolute. Many traditions end prayers and texts with it.
In Practice
Begin or end an important activity today by saying “Om Tat Sat”.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (The Threefold Nature of Faith). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.