ॐ तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः। ब्राह्मणास्थेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा।।17.23।।
oṃ tat sat iti nirddeśo brahmaṇas triviḍhaḥ smṛtaḥ | brāhmaṇāḥ tena vedāḥ ca yajñāḥ ca vihitāḥ purā ||17.23||
Translation
The expression “Om Tat Sat” is declared as the three‑fold indication of Brahman; through it the Brahmins, the Vedas and the sacrifices were established in ancient times.
Word Meanings
oṁ — indication of the Supreme; tat — that; sat — eternal; iti — thus; nirddeśaḥ — indication; brahmaṇaḥ — of the Supreme; tri‑vidhaḥ — three‑fold; smṛtaḥ — is considered; brāhmaṇāḥ — the Brahmins; tena — with that; vedāḥ — the Vedic literature; ca — also; yajñāḥ — sacrifice; ca — also; vihitāḥ — used; purā — formerly
Understanding the Verse
The verse encapsulates a profound metaphysical principle that the tri‑symbol ‘Om Tat Sat’ functions as a concise representation of the Supreme Reality, Brahman. In the Vedic tradition, ‘Om’ is the primal sound, the seed of creation, resonating through all of existence. ‘Tat’ denotes the absolute that is beyond conception – the ultimate ‘that’ which transcends all attributes. ‘Sat’ signifies the unchanging, eternal truth, the very essence of existence. By stating that this formula is a ‘nirddeśa’ (indication), the Gita informs us that these three syllables are not merely linguistic particles but a symbolic map pointing to the immensity of the Divine.
The phrase ‘tri‑vidhaḥ smṛtaḥ’ – “three‑fold is remembered” – emphasizes that the Supreme is comprehended through three complementary aspects: the sound (Om), the pronouncement (Tat), and the truth (Sat). This triadic structure mirrors the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) and the three worlds (gross, subtle, causal), suggesting that the Supreme permeates every level of reality. Therefore, invoking ‘Om Tat Sat’ aligns the devotee with the cosmic order and awakens an awareness of the underlying unity behind the apparent multiplicity.
The verse proceeds to link this cosmic indication with the emergence of the Vedic institutions. ‘Brāhmaṇāḥ tena’ indicates that the priestly class, the custodians of ritual knowledge, originated from the understanding and propagation of this supreme indication. Similarly, ‘vedāḥ ca’ signals that the Vedic scriptures themselves are extensions of the same ultimate truth, encoded in hymns, mantras, and philosophical treatises. ‘Yajñāḥ ca’ shows that the sacrificial rites, the actions that sustain cosmic harmony, are also rooted in this fundamental principle. In essence, the entire Vedic framework – priesthood, literature, and ritual – is a manifestation of the divine utterance ‘Om Tat Sat.’
Historically, the verse also alludes to the antiquity of this tradition by using the term ‘purā’ (formerly), indicating that from the very dawn of creation these elements were already in place. This timelessness underscores the perennial relevance of the Gita’s teaching: the path to spiritual realization does not depend on external circumstances but on aligning one’s consciousness with the immutable truth signified by ‘Om Tat Sat.’
For the modern seeker, this verse offers a practical meditation guide. Chanting ‘Om Tat Sat’ with mindfulness can center the mind, dissolve the ego’s distractions, and bring one into direct experience of the underlying reality. By recognizing that the Brahmins, the Vedas, and the yajñas are all expressions of the same divine principle, one can appreciate the unity behind diverse spiritual practices and deepen one’s devotion to the Supreme.
