Verse 17.23

Verse 17.23: “‘Om-Tat-Sat’: is the three-fold symbol indicative of Brahman; by it, the Brahmin sacrificers, the Vedic-Mantras, and the Sacrifices were created aforetime. (328)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

The Supreme Brahman of all eternity, the very abode of rest of the entire universe, has got only one name which is three-fold. It has in fact neither any name nor any caste; but in order to give some identity to it, in the darkness of infatuation born of the Maya, the Shruti Scriptures have given it a token name. A child does not bring along with its birth, a name. It answers and gets up when called by a (particular) name given to it. In that way, beings getting tired with the mundane worries approach Supreme Brahman for ventilating their grievances, (and call out by some token name). The token name which evoked a response from Brahman, became its conventional name.

The Vedas out of great kindness for the world have discerned with divine vision a Sacred Formula (Mantra) that could break the silence of Supreme Brahman, and make its monistic aspect directly perceptible. Supreme Brahman, if entreated through the chanting of this formula, comes and stands in front face to face from the rear. But only those that do sit side by side, in the same row (level) as the God Brahmadev [Brahmadeva] in the city in the form of the (the princip-les of) Upanishad Scriptures, on the top of the high mountain in the form of the Vedas, know of this formula.

Nay—even the God Brahmadev [Brahmadeva] secured his power of creating this universe by chanting this formula only once. Oh, the Best of the Warriors, God Brahmadeva was a solitary figure, very much confused and mad before this universe was created (by him). He had clean forgotten Me—God, and was unable to create the universe; but the chanting of the name (formula) made him pre-eminent (endowed with that power). He secured the power of creating the universe through constant thinking of the meaning of it (formula) and chanting again and again the three syllables composing it. He then created the Brahmins giving them a direction to follow the Vedas and furnished them the means in the form of the sacrifices for their livelihood. He then created more people-innumerable to count and gave them in gift (for their livelihood) the three worlds, to be held and enjoyed by them hereditarily and in perpetuity.

Now hear about the aspect of the name the chanting of which enabled God Brahmadeva to bring about a miracle”, said the Lord of Shri. (He further said, “Om (ओम्) Pranava, the King of all the hymns, is the first syllable of this (name) know it; ‘Tat’ is the second while ‘Sat’ is the third. Thus Om-Tat-Sat (ओम्-तत्-सत्) is the threefold name of Supreme Brahman, the beautiful flower of the Upanishad Scriptures, which you now smell. Sattvic actions performed after getting one with that name makes the ‘Kaivalya’ (absorption into Divine Essence) the domestic servant (of the performer). Good luck might secure ornaments of camphor for one; yet it is difficult for him to know how to wear them.

In that way, one can perform good actions and even chant the name of Supreme Brahman; yet if one does not know the secret of its proper application (as laid down in the Scriptures), it becomes all fruitless. One stands to lose all merit, if the saintly persons visiting one’s house are not accorded proper reception; or one, out of longing for wearing ornaments in a fitting manner, should bundle them up and hang them around his neck.

In that way, even if the mouth chants the name of Supreme Brahman, and the hands also perform good actions, yet it is of no avail if one does not know its proper application. Oh, there is food as also hunger side by side. Yet if a child does not know how to make a meal (of it) it necessarily starves; or a wick, oil and fire are all available in one place; yet if the process (hātavaṭi) of preparing a light (with the use of these) is not known, no light could be had. In that way even though there is the timely action, as also the remembrance of the formula, yet in the absence of (the knowledge of) proper application, all becomes useless, Therefore now hear about the proper application of the trilettered name (symbol) of Supreme Brahman.