Katha Upanishad Verse 1.2.15

In this pivotal verse, Yama summarizes the ultimate goal toward which all Vedic knowledge and spiritual disciplines (tapas) point. It is the destination for which seekers observe the vow of celibacy (brahmacharya). This goal is concisely revealed as the sacred syllable: Om.

Sanskrit Verse

सर्वे वेदा यत्पदमामनन्ति तपाँ सि सर्वाणि च यद्वदन्ति । यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति तत्ते पद्ँ संग्रहेण ब्रवीम्योमित्येतत् ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

sarve vedā yatpadamāmananti tapām̐si sarvāṇi ca yadvadanti | yadicchanto brahmacaryaṃ caranti tatte padm̐ saṃgraheṇa bravīmyomityetat || 15 ||

Translation

The goal which all the Vedas uniformly extol, which all acts of tapas speak of, and wishing for which men lead the life of a Brahmacharin, that goal I tell you briefly—It is this—Om.