तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः ।
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
इसलिये वैदिक सिद्धान्तोंको माननेवाले पुरुषोंकी शास्त्रविधिसे नियत यज्ञ, दान और तपरूप क्रियाएँ सदा ऊँ इस परमात्माके नामका उच्चारण करके ही आरम्भ होती हैं ॥
English
Therefore, the ritual acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity prescribed by scripture are always begun by uttering Om, for those who speak of Brahman.
What this verse means
People who follow scripture begin sacrifice, giving, and austerity by saying Om.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Krishna is explaining the sacred use of sacred sound. After naming Om, Tat, and Sat, he says that those who know Brahman begin their prescribed acts of sacrifice, giving, and austerity by uttering Om.
Why this verse still matters
Before a difficult family conversation, you pause, breathe, and remember what you stand for. That small opening can turn a tense act into a sacred one.
The takeaway
Even disciplined action can begin with reverence, not just habit.
Word-by-word translation
तस्मात् (therefore) / ओम् इति (Om thus) / उदाहृत्य (having uttered) / यज्ञ (sacrifice) / दान (giving) / तपः-क्रियाः (austerity-acts) / प्रवर्तन्ते (are undertaken) / विधान-उक्ताः (prescribed by rule) / सततम् (always) / ब्रह्म-वादिनाम् (of those who speak of Brahman)
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), tapas (22 verses), dana (11 verses)