यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थिति: सदिति चोच्यते |
कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते || 27||
yajñe tapasi dāne cha sthitiḥ sad iti chochyate
karma chaiva tad-arthīyaṁ sad ity evābhidhīyate
yajñe—in sacrifice; tapasi—in penance; dāne—in charity; cha—and; sthitiḥ—established in steadiness; sat—the syllable Sat; iti—thus; cha—and; uchyate—is pronounced; karma—action; cha—and; eva—indeed; tat-arthīyam—for such purposes; sat—the syllable Sat; iti—thus; eva—indeed; abhidhīyate—is described
Translation:
Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and gift is also called “Sat”; and so too is any action connected therewith.
Commentary:
The Lord affirms the performance of sacrifice, austerity and charity, again and again. Steadfastness in performing these acts itself is the Brahman, designated by the word ‘Sat’. Thus we can imagine the holiness of these acts. They are ‘Sat’. Moreover, all auspicious acts done for the sake of the Supreme are also named ‘Sat’. All such acts of inner purification, lead to the same goal-Brahman. In this manner, Brahman whose form is existence (isness) (Sat) is to be realised by these acts which are also called ‘Sat’. The condition to be carefully noted is that these acts should be performed for the sake of that Brahman, renouncing the fruits to God, and with no motive of personal gain. Then only they are ‘Sat’ and lead to Tat (That). Otherwise, the plane of action does not change. They are just like the hundred and one other actions that are usually done for personal profit and bind them to the wheel of Samsara. Action in itself cannot bind. It binds when one is attached to its fruits and desire to enjoy worldly benefits through them. Then they are not ‘Sať’, because they are practised for the sake of the world (Asat) and not for the sake of Brahman (Sat). The Lord teaches the Divinity of action in this verse. Knowing this, the seekers of truth should perform the best forms of action like Yajna, Tapas and Dana, with the ultimate aim of realising Brahman and attaining perfection and freedom.
Question: What is the significance of Sat?
Answer: Steadfastness in the performance of Yajna, Tapas and Dana, is Sat. All acts performed for the sake of Brahman are Sat. Thus the sages transform every good act into Sat, by renunciation of the fruit of action.