तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः ।
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा ॥
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
ऊँ, तत् और सत् इन तीनों नामोंसे जिस परमात्माका निर्देश किया गया है, उसी परमात्माने सृष्टिके आदिमें वेदों, ब्राह्मणों और यज्ञोंकी रचना की है ॥
English
Om, Tat, and Sat are the three names by which the supreme reality is known. By that, the Vedas, the priests, and the sacrifices were established in the beginning.
What this verse means
The sacred syllables Om, Tat, and Sat point to the supreme reality. They also mark the origin of the Vedas, priests, and sacrifices.
Context & commentary
Krishna is still answering Arjuna on the battlefield, but the teaching has moved from kinds of faith to the deepest frame behind all sacred action. He says that Om, Tat, and Sat are ancient names for the supreme reality, and that Vedic order, priests, and sacrifice arise from that source.
Why this verse still matters
Before a memorial, a wedding, or a vow, people often reach for words that feel bigger than personal opinion. This verse reminds you that some words are meant to align action with what is most real, not just sound holy.
The takeaway
Sacred words are not decoration; they point the mind back to what is most real.
Word-by-word translation
तत् (that) / सत् (being, real) / इति (thus) / निर्देशः (designation, name) / ब्रह्मणः (of Brahman, the supreme reality) / त्रिविधः (threefold) / स्मृतः (is remembered, is known) / ब्राह्मणाः (priests, sacred knowers) / तेन (by that) / वेदाः (the Vedas) / च (and) / यज्ञाः (sacrifices) / च (and) / विहिताः (were ordained, established) / पुरा (in the beginning, formerly)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga — The Three Kinds of Faith, which contains 28 verses.
Explore related themes: yajna (32 verses)