The seventeenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is titled 𝙎𝙝𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙝𝙖 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙖 𝙑𝙞𝙗𝙝𝙖𝙜𝙖 𝙔𝙤𝙜𝙖 where Krishna explains about the three sides of each aspect of life and existence. Krishna says, "' 𝙊𝙢 𝙏𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙖𝙩 ' is considered the threefold representation of the Supreme Absolute Truth - 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙖 .  From them came the knowers of truth (𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙨) , scriptures (𝙑𝙚𝙙𝙖𝙨) , and sacrificial rites (𝙮𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙖) " (17.23). ' 𝙊𝙢 𝙏𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙖𝙩  ' is the most commonly used phrase in the context of 𝙑𝙚𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖 .

𝙊𝙢 is a fundamental sound or vibration but not a word and hence, no meaning is assigned. It is believed that the world was created out of these vibrations and science confirms that every matter is in the state of vibration which is called frequency. This vibration of 𝙊𝙢 consists of three syllables of A-U-M.

'𝙏𝙖𝙩' is translated as 'that'. It looks natural to call 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙖 as you -either in singular or plural form. Accepting 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙖 as 'you' implies that 'I' in us will remain and hence, Krishna mentions ' tat '. ' 𝙏𝙖𝙩 ' is what remains when both you and I unite like the melting of a salt doll to be the ocean. Essentially, it is being one with existence. ' 𝙏𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙞 '  -you are that, is often used to describe the relationship between man and 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙖 .

Krishna further says, "Therefore, acts of 𝙙𝙖𝙖𝙣 (charity), 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 (austerity) and 𝙮𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙖 (sacrifice), as prescribed in scriptures, are begun always uttering 𝙊𝙢 (17.24). The seekers of liberation without desiring results perform various daan , 𝙮𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙖 and 𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙝 while concentrating on ' 𝙩𝙖𝙩 ' "(17.25).

While seeking or desiring is bondage, this verse talks about the desire for liberation (𝙢𝙤𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙖) which looks paradoxical. The first stage is the desire for material things, the next one is the desire for 𝙢𝙤𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙖 and the final stage is dropping the desire to attain 𝙢𝙤𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙖 . Basically, it is moving from Kindergarten to post graduation and Krishna guides us through this gradual transition.

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