Verse 17.26
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते | प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ||२६||
Transliteration (IAST)
sad-bhāve sādhu-bhāve ca sad ity etat prayujyate | praśaste karmaṇi tathā sac-chabdaḥ pārtha yujyate ||26||
Word-by-Word Meanings
sat-bhāve-in the sense of existence/reality
sādhu-bhāve-in the sense of goodness
sat-Sat (Being/Truth)
prayujyate-is used
praśaste-auspicious/praiseworthy
karmaṇi-in action
sat-śabdaḥ-the word Sat
pārtha-O son of Pritha
Translation
The word 'Sat' is used in the sense of reality and goodness; and also, O Partha, the word 'Sat' is used for auspicious action.
Commentary
Shankaracharya explains the multiple meanings of Sat: it denotes absolute existence (sat-bhāva), moral goodness (sādhu-bhāva), and auspicious activity. Ramanuja notes that Sat affirms the ultimate reality and value of righteous action - it declares that good deeds are not illusory but participate in the nature of Being itself. This counters nihilistic interpretations that deny the value of action.
Themes
jnanadharmakarma
Related Verses
jnana1 verse