Bhagavad Gita 17.25 — Saying 'Tat' Without Desiring Fruits: The Path of Liberation Seekers
तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः ।
दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः ॥ १७.२५ ॥
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Uttering 'Tat,' without desiring the fruits, the acts of sacrifice and austerity, and the various acts of charity, are performed by those who seek liberation.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tat | That; the Supreme |
| iti | thus |
| anabhisandhāya | without aiming at; without desiring |
| phalam | fruit; reward |
| yajña | sacrifice |
| tapaḥ | austerity |
| kriyāḥ | acts |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| dāna | charity |
| kriyāḥ | acts |
| cha | and |
| vividhāḥ | various; many kinds of |
| kriyante | are performed |
| mokṣha | liberation |
| kāṅkṣhibhiḥ | by those who desire; by seekers |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tat | That; the Supreme | dāna | charity |
| iti | thus | kriyāḥ | acts |
| anabhisandhāya | without aiming at; without desiring | cha | and |
| phalam | fruit; reward | vividhāḥ | various; many kinds of |
| yajña | sacrifice | kriyante | are performed |
| tapaḥ | austerity | mokṣha | liberation |
| kriyāḥ | acts | kāṅkṣhibhiḥ | by those who desire; by seekers |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna explains that those who seek liberation utter the word Tat, meaning 'That', while performing acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity, without desire for any fruit.
Essence
Tat: Offering Without Claiming
If Om marks the beginning of an act, Tat reflects the spirit in which it is carried out and concluded.
Tad ity anabhisandhāya phalam (saying 'Tat', without aiming at the fruit): The word tat means 'That', referring to the Supreme. By uttering it, the performer acknowledges that the act and its result belong to the Divine, not to the personal ego. This is the exact opposite of abhisandhāya phalam in verse 12, where the fruit is the aim.
Yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāś ca vividhāḥ dāna-kriyāś ca (various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity): All these are performed with the attitude of offering.
Mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ (by those who desire liberation): Those who seek freedom understand that clinging to results binds the soul. By renouncing ownership of the fruit, they gradually dissolve the knots of ego.
This verse echoes the central message of Karma Yoga from earlier chapters: work wholeheartedly, but surrender the outcome. Saying Tat is a way of reminding oneself, 'This is not mine; it is for the Supreme.'
Message for Everyday Life (Letting Go of Ownership)
Release the need to claim credit: Much of our stress comes from tying our worth to the outcomes of our efforts, such as promotions, praise, or results.
Practical approach: After doing your best at any task, mentally offer the result to a higher purpose and move on. This habit brings lightness and equanimity, whether the outcome is success or failure.
Tat: Offering Without Claiming
If Om marks the beginning of an act, Tat reflects the spirit in which it is carried out and concluded.
Tad ity anabhisandhāya phalam (saying 'Tat', without aiming at the fruit): The word tat means 'That', referring to the Supreme. By uttering it, the performer acknowledges that the act and its result belong to the Divine, not to the personal ego. This is the exact opposite of abhisandhāya phalam in verse 12, where the fruit is the aim.
Yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāś ca vividhāḥ dāna-kriyāś ca (various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity): All these are performed with the attitude of offering.
Mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ (by those who desire liberation): Those who seek freedom understand that clinging to results binds the soul. By renouncing ownership of the fruit, they gradually dissolve the knots of ego.
This verse echoes the central message of Karma Yoga from earlier chapters: work wholeheartedly, but surrender the outcome. Saying Tat is a way of reminding oneself, 'This is not mine; it is for the Supreme.'
Message for Everyday Life (Letting Go of Ownership)
Release the need to claim credit: Much of our stress comes from tying our worth to the outcomes of our efforts, such as promotions, praise, or results.
Practical approach: After doing your best at any task, mentally offer the result to a higher purpose and move on. This habit brings lightness and equanimity, whether the outcome is success or failure.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has explained Tat as the spirit of selfless offering. He now describes the third word, Sat, which stands for truth, goodness, and the worthiness of an action.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Offer the deed, release the fruit.
Action without craving is action without chains.
Let your work be a gift, not a claim.
Pay attention to the effort, not the payoff.
Expectation is the thief of peace.
Seek the higher goal, and small rewards lose their pull.
Quiet service has its own freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'tat' (That) mean in this verse?
What does 'anabhisandhāya phalam' (without desiring the fruit) mean?
Who are the 'mokṣhakāṅkṣhin' (seekers of liberation)?
Is saying 'Tat' (That) enough, or is an attitude needed?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
Explore related topics
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