Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 25

English Translation

After (uttering) the word tat, acts of sacrifice and austerity as also the various acts of charity are performed without regard for results by persons aspiring for Liberation.

Detailed Commentary

17.25. Explanation: *Tat*, without seeking... By those desiring liberation, with the sole purpose of pleasing the Supreme Self, and without any desire for personal fruit, scripturally enjoined acts of Yajna, Tapas, Dana, and other auspicious deeds should be performed. The reason is that every action has a beginning and an end, and so does its fruit. But the Supreme Self exists even before the beginning and after the end of these actions and their fruits, remaining ever the same. The existence of Paramatma is eternal and continuous. The word 'Tat' draws attention to this permanent existence, and 'anabhisandhāya phalam' means to not desire perishable fruits. In this world, whatever we see, hear, and know, we consider that to be the truth. Worldly wisdom and strength are deemed successful in this pursuit. But in this ever-changing world, that Supreme Self is not visible to us. Therefore, one should renounce the world with the sole aim of attaining Paramatma, and perform Yajna and other deeds through His power. Devotees of the Lord, with the Lord as their aim, begin all actions by uttering names signifying the 'Tat' principle. Those who desire their own welfare perform Yajna, Dana, Tapas, Tirtha (pilgrimage), Vrata (vows), Japa, Swadhyaya (self-study of scriptures), Dhyana (meditation), and other activities solely for the pleasure of the Lord, and not for themselves. This is because the body, senses, Antahkarana (inner faculty), etc., all belong to Paramatma alone, not to us. If the body and so on do not belong to us, then homes, lands, property, and all other things also do not belong to us; they all belong to the Lord. With the understanding that 'we belong to the Lord, and the Lord belongs to us,' they perform all such actions solely for the pleasure of the Lord. Context: Having explained 'Om' in the twenty-fourth verse and 'Tat' in the twenty-fifth verse, the Lord now explains the word 'Sat' in five ways in the next two verses.