Vers 17.2417.117.217.317.417.517.617.717.817.917.1017.1117.1217.1317.1417.1517.1617.1717.1817.1917.2017.2117.2217.2317.2417.2517.2617.2717.28

Therefore, with the utterance of "Om" are the acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity as enjoined in the scriptures, always begun by the students of Brahman.

Therefore those who speak of Brahman always begin their acts of sacrifice, giving and austerity, as laid down by the injunctions, by uttering Om.

Krishna explains the use of the first word, Om. Those who speak of Brahman always begin their acts of sacrifice, giving and austerity, as prescribed in scripture, by uttering it. Om is the sacred syllable that opens Vedic recitation and many rites. Beginning an act with it marks the act as offered to the highest rather than done for personal gain. The verse gives a concrete practice for turning ordinary religious duties toward their true aim.