In Bhagavad Gita 17.26, Krishna says the word Sat is used for reality and goodness, and also for any praiseworthy action.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
सद्भावे साधुभावे च
सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते
प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा
सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ॥ १७-२६ ॥
sadbhāve sādhubhāve ca
sadityetatprayujyate
praśaste karmaṇi tathā
sacchabdaḥ pārtha yujyate
English transliteration sadbhaave saadhubhaave cha
sadityetatprayujyate
prashaste karmani tathaa
sachchhabdah paartha yujyate ॥ 17.26 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The word “Sat” is used in the sense of reality and of goodness. Likewise, O Partha, the word “Sat” is used for any praiseworthy action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सद्भावे sadbhāve | in the sense of reality sat (real) + bhāve (sense) |
| साधुभावे sādhubhāve | in the sense of goodness sādhu (good) + bhāve (sense) |
| च ca | and |
| सत् sat | Sat |
| इति iti | thus |
| एतत् etat | this |
| प्रयुज्यते prayujyate | is used |
| प्रशस्ते praśaste | praiseworthy |
| कर्मणि karmaṇi | for action |
| तथा tathā | likewise |
| सच्छब्दः sacchabdaḥ | the word Sat sat (Sat) + śabdaḥ (word) |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| युज्यते yujyate | is used |
Word-wise Chanting
- sad–bhā–ve sā–dhu–bhā–ve ca 8 syllables sad-bhaa-ve saa-dhu-bhaa-ve cha
- sa–dit–ye–tat–pra–yuj–ya–te | 8 syllables sa-dit-ye-tat-pra-yuj-ya-te
- pra–śas–te kar–ma–ṇi ta–thā 8 syllables pra-shas-te kar-ma-ni ta-thaa
- sac–chab–daḥ pār–tha yuj–ya–te || 17-26 8 syllables sach-chhab-dah paar-tha yuj-ya-te
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 26
Context
Krishna explains the meaning of Sat (17.23–17.28).
Meaning
Sat has a double meaning: sad-bhāva, existence, reality; and sādhu-bhāva, goodness. It is also used for praśasta karma, auspicious and praiseworthy actions.
In Sanskrit thought, the real and the good are deeply connected. What is truly real is good, and what is good participates in reality.
In Practice
Do one praiseworthy act today and dedicate it with the word “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.