The third in a series of talks by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) on the Bhagavad Gita, India’s most famous scripture: the unforgettable dialog between Sri Krishna and Arjuna about the essence of spiritual life.
In this talk, Swamiji discusses Krishna’s declaration of His and our immortality. The commentary begins with Gita chapter 2, verse 30.
Here are the Gita verses (2:30–2:38) covered in this talk:
This embodied Self is eternally indestructible in the body of all. Therefore you should not mourn for any being. (2:30)
And just considering your swadharma, you should not waver, for truly to a kshatriya there is nothing greater to find than a righteous battle. (2:31)
Happy are the kshatriyas to whom heaven’s gate opens when by good fortune they encounter such a battle. (2:32)
Now if you shall not undertake this dharmic engagement, then having avoided your swadharma and glory, you shall incur evil. (2:33)
And people will forever tell of your undying infamy. For the renowned, such disgrace is worse than dying. (2:34)
The great car-warriors will believe you abstain from delight in battle through fear. And among those who have thought much of you, you shall come to be lightly esteemed. (2:35)
Your enemies shall speak of you many things that should not be said, deriding your adequacy. What, indeed, could be a greater suffering than that? (2:36)
If you are slain you shall attain heaven; if you conquer you shall enjoy the earth. Therefore, stand up resolved to fight. (2:37)
Considering pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat the same, then engage in battle. Thus you shall not incur evil. (2:38)
Summary of this talk on Unity With God:
Divine Oneness: In these verses, Krishna emphasizes that we are inherently one with God, inseparable and forever indestructible. This unity means that even figures like Hitler are one with God, though they must face consequences of their karma and learn and evolve beyond that.
- Caste and Duty: The concept of caste (Varna) is explained not as social hierarchy but as psychological types or spiritual duties. Arjuna, being a warrior (Kshatriya), is bound by duty to fight, especially in a righteous war that protects the innocent.
- Consequences of Inaction: Refusing to fulfill one’s duty leads not just to social disgrace but spiritual death, affecting future lives. This inaction can result in spiritual regression over lifetimes.
- The Righteous War: Arjuna is encouraged to see his battle not just as a physical fight but as a metaphor for the spiritual struggle towards divine consciousness, which is the noblest endeavor.
- Optimism and Resolve: Yogis and seekers are urged to remain optimistic and resolute in their spiritual pursuits. The path is challenging but worth every effort, leading to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
- Standing Up: Literally and metaphorically, one must stand and act, not sit passively. This active participation in one’s spiritual journey is crucial, reflecting readiness and commitment.
- Transcending Duality: Krishna teaches to see beyond the dualities of pleasure-pain, victory-defeat, as they are transient and part of the illusory nature of material existence.
- Conclusion: The message culminates in urging Arjuna (and by extension, all listeners) to perform his duty without attachment to outcomes, understanding that all experiences are ultimately one in the pursuit of divine realization.
This summary captures the essence of Krishna’s teachings in this segment of the Gita, focusing on duty, the nature of existence, and the spiritual path.
