The nineteenth 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, starting with Chapter 4:10, Swamiji discusses how God incarnates to facilitate our enlightenment, the traits one will develop when successfully practicing yoga, the practice of Japa Yoga, and some of the ways to approach God. He also introduces the concept of caste: what it is and what it isn’t, plus other aspects of Krishna’a teachings in the Gita.
Here are the Gita verses (4:10–4:15) covered in this talk:
Free from greed, fear and anger, absorbed in me, holding fast to me, purified by knowledge-based tapasya, many have attained my state of being. (4:10)
In whatever way men resort to me do I thus reward them. It is my path which men follow everywhere. (4:11)
Longing for success in action, in this world men sacrifice to the gods because success from such action is quickly attained in the human world. (4:12)
The fourfold caste was created by me, based on guna and on karma. Though I am the creator thereof, know me to be the eternal non-doer. (4:13)
Actions do not taint me, nor is desire for action’s fruit in me. He who thus comprehends me is not bound by actions. (4:14)
Knowing thus, the ancient seekers for liberation performed action. Do you, therefore, perform action as did the ancients in earlier times. (4:15)
Here is a summary of the Gita Talk on the traits developed by yoga:
1. Purpose of Incarnation: Krishna explains his purpose for incarnating on Earth, which is to guide humanity towards enlightenment or at least instruct them on the path.
2. Transformation Through Yoga: The talk outlines the transformation that occurs in individuals who persevere in yoga practice, emphasizing that these traits develop over time rather than being prerequisites.
3. Key Traits Developed:
- Freedom from Greed and Desire: Practitioners learn to desire things calmly and with intelligence, not impulsively.
- Freedom from Fear: Yoga aims to eliminate fear, which often drives human actions.
- Absence of Anger and Hostility: Yoga leads to inner peace, reducing or eliminating emotional and potential physical violence.
4. Continuous Practice: The importance of continuous practice, particularly Japa (repetition of a mantra), is emphasized for maintaining connection with one’s true self and achieving higher states of consciousness.
5. Path of Knowledge and Yoga:
- The path involves purification through knowledge and yoga, not through physical deprivation or mere external actions.
- Knowledge here refers to understanding Dharma (righteous duty) and acting in accordance with it.
6. Divine Connection: Yoga is described as a method to connect with the divine, where even mistaken efforts towards spiritual growth can lead to positive outcomes due to the intention behind them.
7. Divine Reward: The ultimate reward of following this path is God himself, indicating a deep spiritual fulfillment.
8. Caste System Clarification: The talk briefly touches on the concept of Varna (caste), explaining it as related to one’s qualities and actions (karma) rather than social hierarchy, emphasizing its spiritual rather than societal interpretation.
9. Action and Liberation: The discussion concludes with the idea that understanding the transcendent nature of God helps one not be bound by actions. The ancient seekers of liberation performed actions with this understanding, suggesting a model for modern practitioners.
10. Encouragement for Practice: The talk encourages listeners to engage in right action and pursue spiritual growth, acknowledging that it might be a lengthy process but essential for true liberation.
Overall, Swami Nirmalananda Giri’s talk focuses on the transformative power of yoga in developing spiritual virtues, emphasizing a path of knowledge, continuous practice, and divine connection over mere ritualistic or external practices
