Bhagavad Gita BG 17.26
Chapter 17, Verse 26 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते । प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ॥
sad-bhave sadhu-bhave ca sad ity etat prayujyate prashaste karmani tatha sac-chabdah partha yujyate
Meaning
In the sense of reality (being) and in the sense of goodness — 'Sat' is used. And in praiseworthy action, O Partha, the word 'Sat' is also used.
Understanding
The meaning of the third syllable 'Sat': sad-bhave (in the sense of reality/existence — sat = being, is-ness, reality). Sadhu-bhave (in the sense of goodness/virtue — sadhu = good, virtuous, praiseworthy). Sad ity etat prayujyate (this word 'Sat' is applied/used). Prashaste karmani tatha sac-chabdah partha yujyate (and the word 'Sat' is applied to praiseworthy action, O Partha). So 'Sat' carries three connected meanings: 1) existence/reality (what is), 2) goodness/virtue (what is right), 3) praiseworthy action (what is excellent). These three meanings are unified in the concept: what is truly real is truly good; and action that embodies this is truly praiseworthy.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सद्भावे | sad-bhave | in the sense of reality/existence (sat = being, is-ness) |
| साधुभावे | sadhu-bhave | in the sense of goodness/virtue (sadhu = good, virtuous) |
| प्रयुज्यते | prayujyate | is used, is applied, is employed |
| प्रशस्ते | prashaste | praiseworthy, commendable, excellent |
| सच्छब्दः | sac-chabdah | the word 'Sat', the syllable Sat (Sat + shabda = word) |
| सत्-भावे | sat-bhāve | in the sense of reality, truth |
| साधु-भावे | sādhu-bhāve ca | and in the sense of goodness |
| सत् | sat | "sat" (truth) |
| इति | iti etat | thus this |
| प्रशस्ते | praśaste | in praiseworthy |
| कर्मणि | karmaṇi | action |
| तथा | tathā | also |
| सत्-शब्दः | sat-śabdaḥ | the word "sat" |
| पार्थ | pārtha | O Arjuna |
| युज्यते | yujyate | is used |
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