Chapter 17 Shloka 24

तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः।

प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्।।२४।।

The acts of yagya, tapas and daan,

 performed in the manner ordained

by the Scriptures, of those who recite

the words of Brahm, always begin with

the utterance of the divine syllable ‘Om’.

Chapter 17 Shloka 24

तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः।

प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्।।२४।।

The Lord explains to Arjuna, that since the Supreme Essence lies latent in Om Tat Sat, therefore:

The acts of yagya, tapas and daan, performed in the manner ordained by the Scriptures, of those who recite the words of Brahm, always begin with the utterance of the divine syllable ‘Om’.

The chanting of Om

Little one, those who know the entirety of That Whole, chant the syllable Om whenever they embark on the systematised practice of yagya, tapas and daan.

1. They know that all is Om.

2. They know that all is Brahm.

3. They therefore offer every deed to Brahm.

4. Thus Brahm Himself bears witness to their deeds.

5. Thus they invoke Brahm.

6. They glorify Brahm thus.

7. Thus they keep Brahm’s example before themselves.

8. They endeavour to practice yagya, tapas and daan as exemplified by Brahm Himself.

Actions offered to Brahm

If one acts knowing that all is Brahm:

a) one’s actions will become selfless in nature;

b) one will be incapable of doing anything for the fulfilment of personal desires;

c) one will no longer wish for the fruits of one’s actions;

d) one’s astuteness will increase;

e) one’s vigilance will increase;

f) hypocrisy, pride and ego will no longer even touch such a one;

g) each act will be permeated with faith;

h) one will be redeemed from sin;

i)  the idea of doership and enjoyership will dissolve.

Then, such a one, will indeed be purified through the practice of yagya, tapas and daan.

Little one, even if one does not chant ‘Om’, if one becomes conscious that all is Brahm, it is sufficient; because the chanting of ‘Om’ is only for the purpose of remembering His Omnipresence.

Udahritya (उदाहृत्य)

The meaning of Udahritya here is ‘utterance’.

a) To speak.

b) To describe, to explain through example, to praise, to glorify.

c) Remembering Him and knowing Him to be a reality before starting any work in the world.

Little one, an individual can cross the first three stages of Om chanting the name of Ram, Krishna or Om. Thereafter, he himself is immersed in the One whose name he has chanted. Then his own name has no separate entity – his name becomes synonymous with the Lord’s divine epithets. Then, when his body, mind and intellect along with all their faculties and worldly belongings are surrendered to the Lord, such a one becomes completely silent.

Little one, then whose name shall he take? At the behest of others, he may utter “Ram, Ram!” But how can he thus chant his own name?