In Bhagavad Gita 17.24, Krishna says that therefore the acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity enjoined by scripture always begin, among the followers of the Veda, with the utterance of Om.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य
यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः
सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥ १७-२४ ॥
tasmādomityudāhṛtya
yajñadānatapaḥkriyāḥ
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ
satataṃ brahmavādinām
English transliteration tasmaadomityudaahritya
yajnadaanatapahkriyaah
pravartante vidhaanoktaah
satatam brahmavaadinaam ॥ 17.24 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Therefore, uttering Om, the followers of the Veda always begin their acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity as enjoined by scripture.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| ओम् om | Om |
| इति iti | thus |
| उदाहृत्य udāhṛtya | uttering |
| यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः yajñadānatapaḥkriyāḥ | acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity yajña (sacrifice) + dāna (charity) + tapaḥ (austerity) + kriyāḥ (acts) |
| प्रवर्तन्ते pravartante | begin |
| विधानोक्ताः vidhānoktāḥ | enjoined by scripture vidhāna (injunction) + uktāḥ (declared) |
| सततम् satatam | always |
| ब्रह्मवादिनाम् brahmavādinām | of the followers of the Veda brahma (Veda) + vādinām (followers) |
Word-wise Chanting
- tas–mā–do–mit–yu–dā–hṛt–ya 8 syllables tas-maa-do-mit-yu-daa-hrit-ya
- ya–jña–dā–na–ta–paḥk–ri–yāḥ | 8 syllables ya-jna-daa-na-ta-pahk-ri-yaah
- pra–var–tan–te vi–dhā–nok–tāḥ 8 syllables pra-var-tan-te vi-dhaa-nok-taah
- sa–ta–taṃ brah–ma–vā–di–nām || 17-24 8 syllables sa-ta-tam brah-ma-vaa-di-naam
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 24
Context
Krishna explains the use of Om (17.23–17.28).
Meaning
Om is spoken at the start of every sacred act: yajña, dāna and tapas. It dedicates the act to Brahman from the outset.
Beginning with Om is like beginning with a prayer: it sets the direction of the whole act.
In Practice
Start your day or a task with a silent Om to dedicate it to the Divine.
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.