In Bhagavad Gita 17.25, Krishna says seekers of liberation perform acts of sacrifice, austerity and charity uttering Tat, without seeking reward.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तदित्यनभिसन्धाय
फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः
दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः
क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः ॥ १७-२५ ॥
tadityanabhisandhāya
phalaṃ yajñatapaḥkriyāḥ
dānakriyāśca vividhāḥ
kriyante mokṣakāṅkṣibhiḥ
English transliteration tadityanabhisandhaaya
phalam yajnatapahkriyaah
daanakriyaashcha vividhaah
kriyante mokshakaankshibhih ॥ 17.25 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Uttering “Tat”, without seeking any reward, those who desire liberation perform the various acts of sacrifice, austerity and charity.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तत् tat | Tat (That) |
| इति iti | thus |
| अनभिसन्धाय anabhisandhāya | without seeking |
| फलम् phalam | reward |
| यज्ञतपःक्रियाः yajñatapaḥkriyāḥ | acts of sacrifice and austerity yajña (sacrifice) + tapaḥ (austerity) + kriyāḥ (acts) |
| दानक्रियाः dānakriyāḥ | acts of charity dāna (charity) + kriyāḥ (acts) |
| च ca | and |
| विविधाः vividhāḥ | various |
| क्रियन्ते kriyante | are performed |
| मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः mokṣakāṅkṣibhiḥ | by those who desire liberation mokṣa (liberation) + kāṅkṣibhiḥ (desiring) |
Word-wise Chanting
- ta–dit–ya–na–bhi–san–dhā–ya 8 syllables ta-dit-ya-na-bhi-san-dhaa-ya
- pha–laṃ ya–jña–ta–paḥk–ri–yāḥ | 8 syllables pha-lam ya-jna-ta-pahk-ri-yaah
- dā–nak–ri–yāś–ca vi–vi–dhāḥ 8 syllables daa-nak-ri-yaash-cha vi-vi-dhaah
- kri–yan–te mo–kṣa–kāṅ–kṣi–bhiḥ || 17-25 8 syllables kri-yan-te mo-ksha-kaan-kshi-bhih
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 25
Context
Krishna explains the use of Tat (17.23–17.28).
Meaning
Tat, “That”, points to the Supreme beyond all names. Seekers of mokṣa say Tat as they perform sacrifice, austerity and charity, renouncing personal reward and offering everything to That.
Saying “That” reminds us that the act belongs not to us but to the Supreme.
In Practice
As you complete a task today, say inwardly, “Tat: this is for That.”
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.