Gita for Youth - Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga (Yoga of the threefold Sraddha) - Om Tat Sat (Three Sacred Words)

Three Sacred Words of Sraddha and their Significance

Om Tat Sat, with these three words Brahman, the Supreme Being is remembered. These words denote the Supreme who is formless and devoid of any quality. By these three were ordained the Brahmins, the Vedas and the Sacrifices in ancient times.

The great sages, who have realized Brahman, the Supreme Being, as per the injunctions of the scriptures, utter the word “Om” before performing any sacrifices, gifts or penances.

“Tat” is the word uttered by the sages who aspire after liberation, before performing sacrifices, giving away in charity and penances, without desiring the fruits of such activities.

“Sat”, this word signifies existence as well as virtue. While describing great works the “Sat” word is also used.

“Sat” is also used to depict a steadiness of purpose, of continuing performing sacrifices, acts of charities and penances. Any work for the sake of “Tat” or the Brahman, is also called “Sat”.

These three instructions – “Om Tat Sat” represent the mystical words that denote the imperishable Supreme Being who cannot be described and who cannot be perceived with the senses. These three words are extremely auspicious and therefore a person with the right Sraddha, will always use these three words before commencing any of the noble acts. “Om” is Pranava, a very sacred word, used in denoting both the Vedas and the Supreme Being. Therefore the every scripture recommends uttering Om with utmost devotion before the beginning of any work as that would denote remembrance of the Supreme Being and therefore dedication of the fruits of the work to the God. Tat – whose actual mean is “that” is used to signify the Brahman. One of the great words of Upanishad is “Tat Tvam Asi” or thou art that, implying the inherent divinity in all beings which is shrouded in the thick veil of Maya. “Tat” therefore directly signifies Brahman and any work being done by a person desiring emancipation and not heaven or merit, has to be dedicated to the “Tat”. Sat means “being”, i.e. existence, the reality. According to Vedanta, God is the only reality while the world, according to the Advaita theory, is an illusion. Sat also means the virtuous and therefore for any virtuous and auspicious work, the “Sat” word can be used. A virtuous person is also steady in any of the three practices – sacrifices, gifts and penances, whatever be the circumstances surrounding him/her. That steadiness is also denoted as “Sat”. Any work dedicated towards Brahman, i.e realization of God, like worship, meditation, recitation, sans any desire for the fruits is also Sat. These three words therefore imply the pinnacle of Sraddha.

Any of these three activities (sacrifices, charities and penance), if performed without the necessary Sraddha is called Asat or non virtuous and therefore does not bring any merit for the perfomer, neither here nor in any other world.