Embracing Om Tat Sat: Practical Spiritual Wisdom

Understanding Om Tat Sat The ancient mantra Om Tat Sat, highlighted in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 (verses 23-28), serves as a spiritual compass guiding practitioners towards ultimate liberation. At its essence, this powerful phrase encapsulates three vital components—Om, Tat, and Sat—each offering distinct pathways to spiritual enlightenment.

Om: Gateway to Cosmic Awareness “Om” represents the primal vibration from which the universe arises. Chanting this sacred syllable aligns your consciousness with cosmic rhythms, dissolving mental clutter and fostering immediate clarity. As Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita reveals, Om embodies the divine essence itself, enabling practitioners to transcend everyday distractions and attune themselves deeply to the spiritual fabric of existence.

Tat: Surrendering Ego to Divine Presence The term “Tat” points towards the unseen, omnipresent divine force behind all creation. By dedicating actions to Tat, practitioners shift from ego-driven motives towards humility and universal purpose. This subtle shift reduces anxiety, as highlighted through practical applications within daily tasks. Such dedication transforms routine actions into acts of worship, cultivating inner peace and reducing pride.

Sat: Anchoring in Unchanging Truth “Sat” signifies eternal truth, transcending temporary pleasures and societal pressures. Actions infused with Sat are sincere, pure, and deeply connected to timeless ethical values. Bhagavad Gita teachings stress the importance of distinguishing Sat (eternal) from Asat (temporary), helping practitioners make ethical decisions rooted in enduring spiritual truth rather than fleeting desires.

Daily Integration for Spiritual Growth To fully benefit from the transformative power of Om Tat Sat, consistent spiritual practice is crucial. Regular engagement with sacred texts and mindful chanting of the mantra enriches faith (shraddha), deepening your relationship with the divine. Practical strategies such as beginning meditations with Om, dedicating actions to Tat, and continuously seeking Sat in life choices profoundly influence spiritual maturity.

Through genuine faith and consistent practice, as explained in Bhagavad Gita 9.22, practitioners find divine support in every aspect of life, overcoming anxiety and embracing peace.

Keywords: Om Tat Sat, Om Tat Sat mantra meaning, Bhagavad Gita spiritual insights, practical Om Tat Sat lessons, Om Tat Sat benefits in daily life, Om Tat Sat significance explained, Bhagavad Gita Om Tat Sat guide, Om Tat Sat spiritual practice, transcend anxiety with Om Tat Sat, Bhagavad Gita meditation practices

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Verses 17.23 to 17.28

ॐ तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः।
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा॥17.23॥

oṃ tatsaditi nirdeśo brahmaṇastrividhaḥ smṛtaḥ
brāhmaṇāstena vedāśca yajñāśca vihitāḥ purā

ॐ (oṃ) – the sacred syllable Om; तत् (tat) – that; सद् (sad) – existence, truth; इति (iti) – thus; निर्देशः (nirdeśaḥ) – designation; ब्रह्मणः (brahmaṇaḥ) – of Brahman; त्रिविधः (trividhaḥ) – threefold; स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ) – is declared; ब्राह्मणाः (brāhmaṇāḥ) – the Brahmins; तेन (tena) – by that; वेदाः (vedāḥ) – the Vedas; च (ca) – and; यज्ञाः (yajñāḥ) – sacrifices; च (ca) – and; विहिताः (vihitāḥ) – were ordained; पुरा (purā) – in ancient times.

The words “Om Tat Sat” have been declared as symbolic representations of the Supreme Absolute Truth, from the beginning of creation. From them came the priests, scriptures, and sacrifice.

तस्माद् ॐ इत्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतप:क्रिया: |
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ता: सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ||17.24||

tasmād oṃ ityudāhṛtya yajñadānatapaḥkriyāḥ
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṃ brahmavādinām

तस्मात् (tasmāt) – therefore; ॐ (oṃ) – the syllable Om; इति (iti) – thus; उदाहृत्य (udāhṛtya) – uttering; यज्ञ (yajña) – sacrifice; दान (dāna) – charity; तपः (tapaḥ) – austerity; क्रियाः (kriyāḥ) – acts; प्रवर्तन्ते (pravartante) – commence; विधानोक्ताः (vidhānoktāḥ) – as enjoined by the scriptures; सततम् (satatam) – always; ब्रह्मवादिनाम् (brahmavādinām) – of the expounders of Vedas.

Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity, as prescribed by the scriptures, are always begun by uttering “Om” by the expounders of the Vedas.

तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः।
दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः॥17.25॥

tadityānabhisandhāya phalaṃ yajñatapaḥkriyāḥ
dānakriyāśca vividhāḥ kriyante mokṣakāṅkṣibhiḥ

तद् (tad) – that; इति (iti) – thus; अनभिसन्धाय (anabhisandhāya) – without desiring; फलम् (phalam) – result; यज्ञ (yajña) – sacrifice; तपः (tapaḥ) – austerity; क्रियाः (kriyāḥ) – acts; दान (dāna) – charity; क्रियाः (kriyāḥ) – acts; च (ca) – and; विविधाः (vividhāḥ) – various; क्रियन्ते (kriyante) – are performed; मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः (mokṣakāṅkṣibhiḥ) – by those desiring liberation.

With the utterance of “Tat” (that), acts of sacrifice, austerity, and various forms of charity are performed without desiring results by those seeking liberation.

सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते।
प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते॥17.26॥

sadbhāve sādhubhāve ca sadityetatprayujyate
praśaste karmaṇi tathā sacchabdaḥ pārtha yujyate

सद्भावे (sadbhāve) – in the sense of reality, existence; साधुभावे (sādhubhāve) – in the sense of goodness; च (ca) – and; सद् (sad) – the word “sat”; इति (iti) – thus; एतत् (etat) – this; प्रयुज्यते (prayujyate) – is used; प्रशस्ते (praśaste) – in auspicious; कर्मणि (karmaṇi) – action; तथा (tathā) – also; सच्छब्दः (sacchabdaḥ) – the term “sat”; पार्थ (pārtha) – O Partha (Arjuna); युज्यते (yujyate) – is used.

The word “Sat” is used in the sense of reality and goodness. And O Partha (Arjuna), the word “Sat” is likewise used for auspicious actions.

यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थितिः सदिति चोच्यते।
कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते॥17.27॥

yajñe tapasi dāne ca sthitiḥ saditi cocyate
karma caiva tadarthīyaṃ sadityevābhidhīyate

यज्ञे (yajñe) – in sacrifice; तपसि (tapasi) – in austerity; दाने (dāne) – in charity; च (ca) – and; स्थितिः (sthitiḥ) – steadfastness; सद् (sad) – “sat”; इति (iti) – thus; च (ca) – and; उच्यते (ucyate) – is called; कर्म (karma) – action; च (ca) – and; एव (eva) – indeed; तदर्थीयम् (tadarthīyam) – for that purpose; सद् (sad) – “sat”; इति (iti) – thus; एव (eva) – certainly; अभिधीयते (abhidhīyate) – is termed.

Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and charity is also called “Sat.” And actions connected to these and performed for the sake of the Supreme is also termed “Sat.”

अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत्।
असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह॥17.28॥

aśraddhayā hutaṃ dattaṃ tapastaptaṃ kṛtaṃ ca yat
asadityucyate pārtha na ca tatpretya no iha

अश्रद्धया (aśraddhayā) – without faith; हुतम् (hutam) – offered in sacrifice; दत्तम् (dattam) – given; तपस् (tapas) – austerity; तप्तम् (taptam) – practiced; कृतम् (kṛtam) – performed; च (ca) – and; यत् (yat) – whatever; असत् (asat) – “asat” (unreal, false); इति (iti) – thus; उच्यते (ucyate) – is called; पार्थ (pārtha) – O Partha (Arjuna); न (na) – not; च (ca) – and; तत् (tat) – that; प्रेत्य (pretya) – after death; नो (no) – nor; इह (iha) – here.

O Partha (Arjuna), whatever is performed without faith, whether it be sacrifice, charity, austerity, or any other act, is called “Asat.” It has no value here or hereafter.

Illuminating the Essence of Om Tat Sat 

This final portion of Chapter Seventeen highlights the mantra Om Tat Sat, which guides practitioners toward the highest spiritual reality, and they also highlight the importance of faith in all sacred endeavors. Earlier sections of this chapter addressed how sacrifice, austerity, and charity can be expressed through the three modes of nature. These modes, known as sattva, rajas and tamas shape our behavior and intention. Tamas is marked by darkness and carelessness, rajas by desire and restlessness, and sattva by harmony and clarity. Yet even sattva, considered superior to the other two, does not offer ultimate liberation when taken by itself.

Shri Krishna has already explained that going beyond all three modes is essential for those who seek the highest truth. Om Tat Sat emerges as a succinct reminder of that quest. Through these three syllables, aspirants can dedicate their activities to the divine, remain conscious of the unseen dimension behind all things, and uphold unchanging truth as their guiding principle. Lord Krishna also makes it clear that rituals, austerities, or charitable acts lose their potency if they lack genuine faith. Faith stands at the heart of genuine spiritual progress, ensuring that sacrifices and disciplines are transformed into meaningful offerings rather than mere performances.

Om: The Foundational Vibration

The first element of the mantra is Om. Vedic literature regards Om as the fundamental sound that resonates at the heart of all creation. Traditional teachings describe how Om embodies the waking state, dreaming state, deep sleep, and the spiritual unity that transcends them. Chanting Om aligns the mind with a profound cosmic rhythm, and the Bhagavad Gita reinforces that this syllable represents the Supreme in sonic form. Even a brief moment of sincere chanting can elevate awareness by dissolving trivial preoccupations and anchoring one in the present.

Earlier in the 10th chapter, Shri Krishna had referred to Himself as the Om:

महर्षीणां भृगुरहं गिरामस्म्येकमक्षरम् |
यज्ञानां जपयज्ञोऽस्मि स्थावराणां हिमालय: ||25||

maharṣīṇāṃ bhṛgurahaṃ girāmasmyekamakṣaram
yajñānāṃ japayajñosmi sthāvarāṇāṃ himālayaḥ

Among the great sages, I am Bhrigu; among speeches, I am the single syllable (Om). Among sacrifices, I am the japa-yajna (sacrifice of chanting), and among immovable things, I am the Himalayas.

The significance of OM extends beyond its role in ritual purification as described in the Bhagavad Gita. Within the deeper yogic traditions, OM represents what is known as the “unstruck sound” that pervades all existence.

This concept of Anahad Naad beautifully illuminates why Shri Krishna places such emphasis on beginning spiritual practices with OM. At the subtle level of reality, all matter consists of vibrating energy patterns. Modern String Theory mirrors this ancient understanding, revealing that at the quantum level, particles are essentially vibrating filaments of energy, creating what could be described as a “Dancing Vibrating Symphony of Strings” that constitutes the fundamental fabric of reality.

The Nada-Bindu Upanishad offers profound insight into this phenomenon:

यथा मधुपो मधु पिबन् गन्धान् न वेत्ति किञ्चन ।
तथा चित्तं नादसक्तं विषयान् न हि काङ्क्षति ॥

Yathā madhupo madhu piban gandhān na vetti kiñcana
Tathā cittaṁ nādasaktaṁ viṣayān na hi kāṅkṣati

Just as the bee drinking honey does not care for the odor, so the Chitta (mind) which is always absorbed in sound (Nada) does not long for sensual objects, as it is bound by the sweet smell of Nada and has abandoned its flitting nature.

While the human ear typically perceives only frequencies between 20-20,000 Hz, Anahad Naad exists beyond this spectrum. When a yogic practitioner moves into deep meditative states, particularly as awareness rises from the Heart Chakra (Anahata Chakra) toward the third eye, the Udaana energy activates, allowing perception of these subtle cosmic vibrations.

The experience of Anahad Naad emerges naturally in advanced states of consciousness, particularly Nirvikalpa Samadhi, which is the state of complete thoughtlessness or Shoonya. It cannot be reached through technique alone but arises when consciousness transcends the material spectrum entirely. That happens only through the grace of Guru and God.

The Heart Chakra, dominated by the air element (Vayu tattva), serves as the origin point for perceiving Anahad Naad. From there, these subtle vibrations travel through the central Sushumna channel and the complementary Ida and Pingala nadis, eventually permeating all 72,000 energy pathways in the subtle body.

When properly intoned with full awareness, the sacred syllable OM (or AUM) creates tangible vibrations that begin below the navel and flow upward toward the third eye center. This experiential process demonstrates why Shri Krishna instructs practitioners to begin with OM, as it attunes the entire being to cosmic frequencies otherwise imperceptible in ordinary states of consciousness.

The three components of AUM (A-U-M) correspond to progressive stages of subtle sound perception:

1. “A” vibrates in the lower abdomen, representing creation and waking consciousness
2. “U” resonates in the heart region, symbolizing preservation and dream consciousness
3. “M” vibrates in the head, embodying dissolution and deep sleep consciousness
4. The silence following completes the cycle, pointing toward the transcendent fourth state (turiyam)

Understanding Anahad Naad clarifies why Shri Krishna presents OM as the first component of the sacred triad “OM TAT SAT.” Only by attuning to these cosmic vibrations can consciousness begin to transcend material limitations and perceive the ineffable reality represented by “TAT” and the eternal truth of “SAT.”

Tat: The Unseen Divine Presence

Tat is the second term, indicating that which is beyond direct perception by the senses. In Sanskrit, idam refers to what is visible or immediate, whereas tat points to the reality that lies just beyond ordinary vision. By uttering Tat, one acknowledges that the Supreme remains present even if the material eyes cannot perceive it. This perspective can be seen throughout the Bhagavad Gita in passages where Shri Krishna explains that all sacrifices, charitable acts, and austerities should be dedicated to the invisible, all-pervading Lord.

Tat encourages humility. Rather than focusing on personal ownership or doership, a practitioner who invokes Tat remembers that every offering ultimately belongs to the cosmic source. This dismantles pride because one sees that personal talents and resources are gifts rather than possessions. It also offers peace because the burden of outcomes shifts toward a universal purpose rather than centering on an individual ego. In daily practice, reflecting on Tat can transform mundane tasks into forms of worship.

Sat: The Unchanging Truth

Sat, the third element, signifies the eternal and unalterable foundation of existence. In the Bhagavad Gita, Sat is portrayed as the principle that makes an action truly noble and effective. One who acts with awareness of Sat focuses on that absolute permanent truth, rather than on temporary benefits. This fosters integrity and sincerity, nurturing a mindset that seeks truth above convenience or social approval.

The Upanishads and other Vedic sources describe Brahman as eternal unchanging truth, consciousness & bliss. Sat represents an eternal principle untouched by the flux of nature. When practitioners keep Sat in mind, they find themselves less swayed by the pulls of tamas, rajas, or even sattva. Instead, they root their actions in a higher reality that transcends surface appearances.

This is the essence of the mantra:

असतो मा सद्गमय।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।
मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय॥

Asato mā sad gamaya
Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
Mṛtyor mā amṛtaṁ gamaya

Lead me from the unreal to the real. Lead me from darkness to light. Lead me from death to immortality.

Combining Om Tat Sat

When brought together in Om Tat Sat, these three syllables act like a threefold lamp illuminating the spiritual path. Om channels the cosmic vibration of the Supreme, Tat reminds us of the invisible divine presence, and Sat reinforces the need to acknowledge and surrender to unchanging truth. Shri Krishna advises that acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance become spiritually beneficial when infused with these principles. The mantra safeguards these activities from slipping into empty show or misguided austerity.

This concept applies beyond formal rituals. For instance, someone who is cooking a meal might pause for a moment, recall Om Tat Sat, and dedicate the cooking process to the ultimate reality. Another person who volunteers at a hospital or engages in a creative project can do the same. The outer form of the action does not change, but the mindset transforms it into a step on the journey toward spiritual awakening.

Transcending the Modes Through Vibration

Shri Krishna often describes the modes of nature as currents in a vast ocean. Tamas weighs individuals down in darkness, rajas fuels incessant cravings, and sattva offers clarity yet can still tie one to material pride. Om Tat Sat offers a means to navigate these currents. 

Om can ease mental agitation by aligning it with a sublime resonance. Tat shifts the focus from personal ambition to universal purpose. Sat keeps the practitioner centered on everlasting truth.

When practiced regularly, these elements help the devotee rise above emotional fluctuations. Over time, one may notice the mind becoming calmer, less reactive, and more anchored in a sense of higher purpose. This does not mean that a person has to renounce the world or neglect ordinary duties. Rather, everyday responsibilities become charged with a spiritual quality. Actions carry an inner dedication, so they do not bind the soul but uplift it.

Faith as the Binding Force

While Om Tat Sat outlines the philosophy, faith is what gives it life. Shri Krishna states that a sacrifice or charitable act performed without faith lacks substance. Faith (shraddha) in this context is not blind belief but a heartfelt conviction that the Supreme is real, benevolent, and responsive. This conviction propels individuals to persist on the spiritual path, even when obstacles appear. It also creates the inner environment in which Om Tat Sat can flourish.

The Bhagavad Gita includes passages where Shri Krishna promises that those who devote themselves completely to Him will experience his special care and protection. Faith grows stronger when one reads about or witnesses examples of how divine grace operates in daily life. As faith deepens, worry tends to recede, pride softens, and gratitude blossoms. 

This process may not happen overnight, but consistent engagement with the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings and an honest exploration of how they manifest in one’s personal experiences can foster a steady growth of confidence in the divine.

The Boy and the Umbrella: A Lesson in Trust

A well-loved story recounts how a drought-stricken village arranged a grand ceremony to pray for rain. Everyone dressed in their finest clothes and assembled with elaborate preparations, but only a young boy arrived carrying an umbrella. His simple trust illustrated what it means to have genuine confidence and faith in divine mercy. While the rest came to the ritual, perhaps influenced by social expectations or lingering doubts, the boy displayed a pure faith that might surpass any amount of ritualistic sophistication.

This story resonates with Shri Krishna’s emphasis that knowledge alone does not guarantee spiritual growth. The sincerity of faith opens the heart in a way that intellectual mastery cannot. Om Tat Sat guides the correct orientation of mind, and faith supplies the fire that sustains it. Together, they make acts of worship or kindness radiate with authentic power.

Anxiety, Faith, and the Role of ‘I’

The insight that anxiety has “I” at its center, just as pride does, offers profound wisdom. When self-centeredness dominates our consciousness, both worry and arrogance naturally flourish. The antidote is shifting focus from self to the Supreme.

The Bhagavata Purana (10.14.58) confirms:

समाश्रिता ये पदपल्लवप्लवं
महत्पदं पुण्ययशो मुरारे: ।
भवाम्बुधिर्वत्सपदं परं पदं
पदं पदं यद् विपदां न तेषाम् ॥ ५८ ॥

samāśritā ye pada-pallava-plavaṁ
mahat-padaṁ puṇya-yaśo murāreḥ
bhavāmbudhir vatsa-padaṁ paraṁ padaṁ
padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ na teṣām

Faith, when nurtured, weaves itself into every dimension of life. It appears in moments of decision-making, when an inner voice encourages the choice that aligns with higher values instead of short-sighted gains. It appears in times of difficulty, when trust in the divine presence supports perseverance and humility. Some even find that reflecting on Om Tat Sat before starting a challenging task allows them to approach the situation with composure and confidence.

Many discover that associating with those who have strong spiritual commitment enriches their faith (Satsanga). Listening to discourses, studying the Bhagavad Gita, or reading about the lives of saints can kindle renewed devotion. This involves drawing inspiration from those who have walked the path and found fulfillment in anchoring their lives in divine remembrance.

Stories that Illustrate Sincerity

Vedic literature is full of stories of how the Lord responds to heartfelt devotion. The Ramayana describes a simple forest-dweller, Shabari, who offered berries to Lord Rama, carefully tasting them first so they would not be bitter. Her motive was pure love, and the Lord accepted her offering with great affection. In the Mahabharata, one finds numerous examples of Shri Krishna’s protection granted to those who trust him wholeheartedly, even in life-threatening battles or moral dilemmas.

These accounts reflect Shri Krishna’s assurance that the divine does not ignore the prayers of those who seek sincerely. At times, answers appear in subtle ways, perhaps through a timely insight or a chance encounter that changes one’s course in life. Though outward circumstances vary, the underlying message remains that trust and loving remembrance invite divine involvement.

Merging Sattva and Devotion

Sattva, while exalted compared to the lower modes, still binds the soul in a refined kind of comfort zone. Shri Krishna’s recommendation to transcend all three modes begins with cultivating sattva as a springboard toward clarity and inner stability. Once the mind is peaceful, devotion can become a powerful catalyst for going beyond the material realm. Om Tat Sat acts as a constant support that keeps the mind from drifting back into self-centered motivations. Instead, it reminds the practitioner that the highest goal is union with the divine will.

When the mind is already influenced by sattva, it becomes far easier to chant Om, reflect on Tat, or remember Sat without distraction. At that point, a natural and genuine desire for personal communion with the Supreme can take shape. This communion is what is to be known as bhakti, and it transcends ritual obligations and fosters a loving relationship with the Lord that permeates all aspects of life.

Practical Applications in Daily Spiritual Life

How can modern practitioners incorporate the wisdom of these verses into daily life? Several practical applications emerge:

1. Beginning Spiritual Activities with Sacred Utterances

Starting meditation, prayers, or spiritual study with “OM” establishes the proper vibrational field. This practice aligns individual consciousness with cosmic consciousness, creating conducive conditions for spiritual experience.

2. Cultivating Detachment Through Awareness of “TAT”

By mentally dedicating actions to “TAT”—the transcendent reality beyond immediate perception—we cultivate detachment from results. This doesn’t mean indifference but rather a shift in focus from self-gratification to divine service.

3. Discerning “SAT” from “ASAT” in Daily Choices

Cultivating discernment between the eternal (SAT) and temporary (ASAT) guides ethical choices. When faced with decisions, we can ask: “Does this align with eternal truth or merely with fleeting desires?”

4. Nurturing Faith Through Regular Spiritual Practice

Faith grows through consistent spiritual practice and study of sacred texts. Regular engagement with the Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures strengthens śraddhā, which Krishna identifies as essential for spiritual progress.

5. Transforming Anxiety Through Surrender

When anxiety arises, recognizing the centrality of “I” consciousness helps shift focus to divine providence. Surrendering concerns to Krishna fulfills his promise to provide what we lack and preserve what we have.

Obstacles and Internal Questions

Questions are natural in spiritual life. One might wonder why hardships persist even when effort is made to dedicate actions to the Supreme. Shri Krishna addresses this by describing how karma, free will, and divine grace interplay in mysterious ways. Faith does not promise the absence of difficulties but rather the assurance that these difficulties can refine the heart and open it further to the divine. Each obstacle becomes a prompt to deepen reliance on the infinite goodness that sustains all existence.

Cultivating a personal dialogue with the Lord can also help. Some devotees speak to the divine in their own words, sharing joys, sorrows, and confusions. This intimate communication can bolster faith because it reshapes the relationship from a distant concept to a living bond of love. Over time, one notices hints of divine reciprocity, sometimes subtle, sometimes sudden.

The Joy of Shared Reflection

As faith grows, many feel inspired to share their insights or experiences with family, friends, or community members. Shri Krishna encourages sharing spiritual knowledge with those who are open and respectful. Om Tat Sat can serve as a simple starting point. Explaining how these three syllables can bring depth to everyday actions might spark a lively discussion. 

Stories, parables, and personal experiences become bridges that connect ideas with lived realities. Some individuals might dismiss ritual or mantras as relics of an older culture, but when they see the calm and positivity it brings, they may become curious. The conversation then shifts from theory to practical transformation. That is the magic of presenting spiritual concepts in a relatable manner, and that has been the purpose of my initiative through these ‘pragmatic gita’ sessions.

A helpful introspection before we conclude:

Shri Krishna has reiterated the importance of faith. How can we tell if our faith is growing? Well, the level of our worries tells us about the strength of our faith. I once attended a powerful session by a pastor and he said, do you know what is in the middle of Anxiety? Well, it is ‘I’. Do you know what else has ‘I’ in the middle? Well, it is PrIde. When we let go of our pride and when we surrender to God, we develop faith and then we don’t fall victim to Anxiety.

Remember 9.22:

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते |
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् || 9.22||

ananyāśh chintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate
teṣhāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣhemaṁ vahāmyaham

There are those who always think of Me and engage in exclusive devotion to Me. To them, whose minds are always absorbed in Me, I provide what they lack and preserve what they already possess.

This is one of the verses where Shri Krishna is urging us to have faith in Him.

With that thought, we conclude the 17th chapter.

Hare Krishna!

kṛṣṇadaasa
(Servant of Krishna)