|| 17.24 ||

तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः। प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्।।

tasmād om ity udāhṛtya yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṁ brahma-vādinām

tasmāt (therefore) om (Oṁ) iti (thus) udāhṛtya (chanting) yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ (sacrifices, charity, and penance) pravartante (begin) vidhāna-uktāḥ (as per the rules) satatam (always) brahma-vādinām (of those who follow the Vedas).

Therefore, transcendentalists undertaking performances of sacrifice, charity and penance in accordance with scriptural regulations begin always with oṁ, to attain the Supreme.

Kṛṣṇa explains the function of the word ‘Oṁ’. He says that those who follow the Vedas always begin their sacrifices, charity, and penance by chanting ‘Oṁ’. It is the universal prefix for every auspicious act. ‘Oṁ’ represents the sound incarnation of God Himself, encompassing all potential and all truth. Starting with ‘Oṁ’ is like tuning an instrument before playing a song. It sets the mind on the Infinite. It clears away material static and aligns the practitioner with the cosmic vibration. For the ‘Brahma-vādīs’ (seekers of Truth), this is a non-negotiable rule. They don’t just ‘start’; they invoke the Divine presence first. This ensures that the activity is not just mundane work, but a spiritual offering. It teaches us the importance of a ‘Spiritual Start’. We should have a ritual of beginning our day or our work with a reminder of God. Chanting ‘Oṁ’ (or any holy name) acts as a mental reset button. It reminds us that the power to act comes from the Lord, not from our own ego. This simple habit keeps us grounded and connected throughout our busy lives.