Gita 17.26

Chapter 17: Three Types of Faith

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

sad-bhāve sādhu-bhāve ca sad ity etat prayujyate praśaste karmaṇi tathā sac-chabdaḥ pārtha yujyate

"'Sat' is used in the sense of reality and goodness; and also, O Partha, the word 'Sat' is used for an auspicious action."

What This Means:

'Sat' means what truly exists and what is good. It's used for any auspicious, real, worthwhile action. 'Sat' sanctifies by affirming the reality and goodness of the deed.

Going Deeper:

'Sat' has two applications: (1) 'sat-bhāve'—in the sense of being/reality (what truly exists), (2) 'sādhu-bhāve'—in the sense of goodness (what is virtuous). 'Praśaste karmaṇi'—for auspicious action. 'Sat' affirms: this is real, this is good. It counters the demonic view that nothing is real or good.

How To Apply This:

Affirm the goodness and reality of your spiritual practice with 'Sat.' When you do something worthwhile, 'Sat' acknowledges its truth and value against nihilism and doubt.

Key Sanskrit Terms:

Sat= Being, Truth, Goodsat-bhāve= in sense of realitysādhu-bhāve= in sense of goodnesspraśaste= auspicious