Bhagavad Gita BG 17.27
Chapter 17, Verse 27 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थितिः सदिति चोच्यते । कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते ॥
yajne tapasi dane ca sthitih sad iti cocyate karma caiva tad-arthiyam sad ity eva abhidhiyate
Meaning
Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and giving is also called 'Sat'. And action for that purpose is called 'Sat' indeed.
Understanding
The final verse on 'Sat': yajne tapasi dane ca sthitih (steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and giving — the three sacred practices of this chapter). Sad iti cocyate (is also called 'Sat'). Karma ca eva tad-arthiyam (and action FOR that purpose — for the Absolute/Sat). Sad ity eva abhidhiyate (is called 'Sat' indeed). So 'Sat' is the name for: 1) the Absolute reality, 2) the goodness of virtuous being, 3) praiseworthy action (v26), 4) steadfast practice of the three sacred acts, and 5) action oriented toward the Divine. All forms of genuine sacred action are Sat — they participate in the reality and goodness of the Absolute.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| स्थितिः | sthitih | steadfastness, stable engagement, dwelling in |
| तदर्थीयम् | tad-arthiyam | for that purpose, for the sake of That (the Absolute) |
| अभिधीयते | abhidhiyate | is called, is named, is designated |
| यज्ञे | yajñe | in sacrifice |
| तपसि | tapasi | in austerity |
| दाने | dāne ca | and in charity |
| स्थितिः | sthitiḥ | steadiness, engagement |
| सत् | sat | "sat" |
| इति | iti ca ucyate | is also called |
| कर्म | karma ca eva | and action also |
| तत्-अर्थीयम् | tad-arthīyam | for the purpose of that |
| सत् | sat iti eva | "sat" indeed |
| अभिधीयते | abhidhīyate | is designated |
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