Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 24

English Translation

Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity as prescribed through injunctions, of those who study and expound the Vedas, always commence after uttering the syllable Om.

Detailed Commentary

17.24. Elucidation: "Therefore, by uttering Om..." For the *Brahmavādīs*, those who uphold the Vedas, the chanting of 'Om' holds special significance. They engage in Vedapāṭha, Yajña, Dāna, Tapas, and other scripturally ordained actions only after uttering 'Om'. Just as cows do not become fruitful without a bull, so too, the Ṛcas and Śrutis of the Vedas do not yield fruit without the utterance of 'Om'. 'Om' is uttered first because 'Praṇava' manifested first. From the three *mātrās* of Praṇava, the Tri-padā Gāyatrī was formed, and from it, the Vedatrayī—the Ṛk, Sāma, and Yajus Vedas—manifested. From this perspective, 'Om' is the root of all, and Gāyatrī and the Vedas are also encompassed within it. Therefore, all Vedic rites performed are done only after uttering 'Om'.