Verse 17.24

Verse 17.24: “Therefore, it is after pronouncing ‘OM’ that the activities relating to sacrifices, gifts, and austerities—performed according to prescribed mode continually start into being in the case of the Brahman-knowers. (354)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

The three letters composing that name should be used in the three stages viz. in the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of all actions. Those who know already (the nature of) Supreme Brahman follow this method and meet Supreme Brahman. Those that are well versed in the Scriptures, do not abstain from performing the sacrifices for becoming one with Supreme Brahman. They first meditate on the Omkar, make it visible to‘their mental eye and then pronounce it with their tongue and with their meditation accompanied by a visible symbol and clear pronunciation (with the organ of speech) of Pranava (the symbol ‘OM’) set out with the performance of actions.

The utterance of Pranava at the beginning of actions, is as valuable as a lamp with a steady light in deep darkness or an able-bodied companion (while travelling) in a jungle. They make oblations of various ingredients obtained justly, through Brahmins in the (sacrificial) fire invoking the desired deities.

They make (oblations) offering in accordance with due rites made of various kinds of ingredients (dravya) to the three sacred fires (āhavanīya-gārhatatya[gārhapatya?]-dakṣiṇa). They take to various kinds of sacrifices (in their prescribed modes) and abandon worldly worries which are hated by them: or they give away in charity at suitable places and on suitable occasions, to worthy recipients, riches as also lands etc. earned judiciously; or they take food on alternate days, practise month by month the Chandrayana, (cāndrāyaṇa—expiatory penance by regulating food by the Moon’s periods of waxing and waning), and sap (i.e. purify by purging the dross) the seven primary fluids—essential ingredients in the body (saptadhātu) by practising rigid austerities.

Sacrifices, charities and austerities are the well-known means of binding men to mundane existence (by their rewards): yet these accompanied by Pranava make it easy for them to secure emancipation. We float on water in small boats, which are ordinarily (on land) felt heavy: in that way the constant remembrance of this (Omkar [Omkara]) name effects deliverance from fettering actions. Sacrifices, charities and austerities and other actions get well-performed and supported by Omkar. It is only when these actions show signs of coming to fruition that the second letter ‘Tat’ is put into application.