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Bhagavad Gita 17.26

Chapter 17, Verse 26

Part of 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yogश्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग

सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते।प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते॥

Transliteration

sad-bhāve sādhu-bhāve cha sad ity etat prayujyate praśhaste karmaṇi tathā sach-chhabdaḥ pārtha yujyate

Meaning

The word "Sat" is used to refer to reality and goodness; likewise, O Arjuna, the word "Sat" is used to refer to an auspicious act.

Word-by-word meaning
sat-bhāvewith the intention of eternal existence and goodnesssādhu-bhāvewith auspicious intentionchaalsosatthe syllable Satitithusetatthisprayujyateis usedpraśhasteauspiciouskarmaṇiactiontathāalsosat-śhabdaḥthe word “Sat”pārthaArjun, the son of Prithayujyateis used
Commentary

Satbhava That which is unchanging amidst the changing, that which is permanent amidst the impermanent, that which exists in the past, present and future is Sat the reality behind the everchanging names and forms is Sat the substratum in which the everchanging forms inhere is Sat. Meritorious action is Sat. Sadhubhava An attribute of harmony with nature, so that the worlds cycle moves smoothly. The word Sat is powerful enough to make a defective action perfect and complete. When a good action is likely to be rendered Asat or bad owing to a single defect, the use of the word Sat makes it free from defects and brings it to a successful termination. The word Sat removes the evil ality of the action as it has the power of purifying and rendering the act perfect. Sat is Existence Absolute. Sat is Para Brahman. Sat is the inexpressible symbol of that mysterious indescribable, illimitable, indivisible, selfluminous, immortal Brahman. The word Sat is used when you wish to express the reality of an object which is unreal or which is relatively real, as for instance, the birth of a son who is unreal or relatively real in telling that a man is one of good conduct when his conduct is not good or is only relatively good, and in expressing that an act is auspicious, when it is not auspicious or only relatively auspicious. Brahman alone is real. It alone really exists. But we say when a son is born to Mr. Govindan that Mr. Govindans son has come into existence. From the viewpoint of Brahman or Existence Absolute? Mr. Govindans son never exists. The word Sat which is only applied to Brahman is used also for Mr. Govindans son who is unreal or relatively real. Brahman alone is absolutely good and absolutely auspicious. But the,word Sat that can properly be applied to Brahman alone is applied to an act which is not auspicious or which is only relatively auspicious. The use of Sat renders the imperfectly performed actions perfect.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 26?
The word "Sat" is used to refer to reality and goodness; likewise, O Arjuna, the word "Sat" is used to refer to an auspicious act.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 26 of Chapter 17 (Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog — Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.