Om TaT Sat - an explanation fronm the Srimad BAGWAT gita!

[Guest guest]

How Delightful and spiritually uplifting to see the symbol of 'AUM'

on the group page !

 

Respected ADavaitins !

 

Sometimes , you have seen me signing off as 'OM TAT SAT' and at other

times as 'Hari Aum Tat Sat' ...

 

it is my pleasure to bring to you from Srimad Bhagwad Gita the

underlying meaning behind this phrase Aum Tat Sat!

 

Chapter 17

 

 

om tat sad iti nirdeso

brahmanas tri-vidhah smrtah

brahmanas tena vedas ca

yajnas ca vihitah pura ( verse 23 )

 

>From the beginning of creation, the three syllables--om tat sat--have

been used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth [brahman]. They were

uttered by brahmanas while chanting Vedic hymns and during

sacrifices, for the satisfaction of the Supreme.

 

 

FULL EXPLANATION!

>From the beginning of creation, the three syllables--om tat sat--have

been used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth [brahman]. They were

uttered by brahmanas while chanting Vedic hymns and during

sacrifices, for the satisfaction of the Supreme.

PURPORT

 

It has been explained that penance, sacrifice, charity and foods are

divided into three categories: the modes of goodness, passion and

ignorance. But whether first class, second class or third class, they

are all conditioned, contaminated by the material modes of nature.

When they are aimed at the Supreme--om tat sat, the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, the eternal--they become means for spiritual

elevation. In the scriptural injunctions such an objective is

indicated. These three words, om tat sat, particularly indicate the

Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the Vedic

hymns, the word om is always found.

One who acts without following the regulations of the scriptures will

not attain the Absolute Truth. He will get some temporary result, but

not the ultimate end of life. The conclusion is that the performance

of charity, sacrifice and penance must be done in the mode of

goodness. Performed in the modes of passion or ignorance, they are

certainly inferior in quality. The three words om tat sat are uttered

in conjunction with the holy name of the Supreme Lord, e.g., om tad

visnoh. Whenever a Vedic hymn or the holy name of the Supreme Lord is

uttered, om is added. This is the indication of Vedic literature.

These three words are taken from Vedic hymns. Om ity etad brahmano

nedistham nama indicates the first goal. Then tat tvam asi indicates

the second goal. And sad eva saumya indicates the third goal.

Combined they become om tat sat. Formerly when Brahma, the first

created living entity, performed sacrifices, he spoke these three

names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The same principle holds

by disciplic succession. So this hymn has great significance.

Bhagavad-gita recommends, therefore, that any work done should be

done for om tat sat, or for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When

one performs penance, charity, and sacrifice with these three words,

he is acting in Krsna consciousness. Krsna consciousness is a

scientific execution of transcendental activities which enables one

to return home, back to Godhead. There is no loss of energy in acting

in such a transcendental way.

 

(Divine Grace Srila PRABHUPADA )

 

For another explanation,

 

go to the Files section of the Advaitin and look under commentary on

Bhagwat gita chapter 17, verse 23!

 

later, i will add the other 4 verses ( 24 to 28) from the same

chapter Seventeen!

 

Meanwhile , medirtate on 'aum' THE SHABDA BRAHMAN WHICH REPRSENTS

THE MAHAVAKYA OF THE UPANISHADS ( TAT Twam ASI) and SAT ( the one

and only realityor absolute Truth )!

 

and add Hari to it!

 

Then we are contemplating on Lord KRISHNA WHO IS FULL OF TRUTH,

CONSCIOUSNESS AND BLISS !

 

Hari Aum Tat sat !

 

ps members are welcome to add Swami DAYANANDA'S , SWAMI

CHINMAYANANDA'S , SWMAI ATMANANDA'S EXPLANATION on this!

[Guest guest]

Verse 24 from chapter 17 of Srimad Bhagwat Gita goes like this ....

 

tasmad om ity udahrtya

yajna-dana-tapah-kriyah

pravartante vidhanoktah

satatam brahma-vadinam

 

Srila PRABHUPADA'S EXPLANATION

 

Thus the transcendentalists undertake sacrifices, charities, and

penances, beginning always with OM , to attain the Supreme.

 

Furthermore

 

Om tad visnoh paramam padam. The lotus feet of Visnu are the supreme

devotional platform. The performance of everything on behalf of the

Supreme Personality of Godhead assures the perfection of all

activity.

 

as LORD KRISHNA says

 

in chapter 10, verse 8

 

aham sarvasya prabhavo

mattah sarvam pravartate

iti matva bhajante mam

budha bhava-samanvitah

 

I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything

emanates from Me. The wise who know this perfectly engage in My

devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.

 

well, before uttering god's name we always add the sacred

syllable'Aum' to it!

 

AUM NAMO NARAYANA!

 

AUM NAMAHA SHIVAYA!

 

AUM DURGAYAII NAMAHA!

 

ps MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ADD, SUBTRACT, DIVIDE , MULTIPLY to this

post ... smiles ...