The fifty-first 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 10:01, Swamiji discusses what it means to be “beloved of God,” who were the saptarishis and the manus, and a humorous story of St. Teresa of Avila, among other topics.
Here are the Gita verses (10:01–10:42) covered in this talk:
The Holy Lord said:
Once more hear from me the supreme word which I speak to you, who are beloved, with the desire for your welfare. (10:1)
Neither the multitude of gods nor the great seers (rishis) know my origin. In truth I am the universal source of the gods and the great seers. (10:2)
He who knows me as birthless and beginningless, the mighty Lord of the world–he among mortals is undeluded and freed from all evils. (10:3)
Intelligence, knowledge, non-delusion, forbearance, truthfulness, self-restraint, equanimity, happiness, suffering, birth, death, fear, and fearlessness, (10:4)
Non-injury, impartiality, contentment, tapasya, almsgiving, both good repute and ill repute: these manifold conditions of beings arise from me alone. (10:5)
In the past the ancient Seven Great Rishis and Four Manus, from whom have sprung these earthly beings, originated from me, born of my mind. (10:6)
He who knows in truth this my manifested glory and power is united with me by unwavering yoga–of this there is no doubt. (10:7)
I am the origin of all; from me everything proceeds–thinking thus, the wise, endowed with meditation, worship me. (10:8)
With minds and lives intent on me, enlightening one another, and speaking of me constantly, they are content and rejoice in me. (10:9)
To them, the constantly steadfast, worshipping me with affection, I bestow the buddhi yoga by which they come to me. (10:10)
Out of compassion for them, I, abiding in their own Selves, destroy the darkness born of ignorance by the shining lamp of knowledge. (10:11)
Arjuna said:
You are the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Abode, the Supreme Purifier, the Divine Eternal Spirit, the First God, the Birthless and All-pervading. (10:12)
Thus do all the sages declare you: the Divine Sage Narada, Asita, Devala, and Vyasa. And you yourself say it to me. (10:13)
All this which you say to me I believe is true. Truly, Lord God (Bhagavan), neither the gods nor the demons know your manifestation. (10:14)
For you alone know yourself by yourself, O you, the Purushottama: bestowing welfare on all beings, Lord of Beings, God of gods, Lord of the universe. (10:15)
Please describe completely your divine self-manifestations by which manifestations you pervade the worlds and abide in them. (10:16)
How may I know you, O Yogi, constantly meditating on you? And in what aspects of your Being are you to be thought of by me, O Bhagavan? (10:17)
Explain to me further in detail your powers and manifestations. I am never satiated with hearing your amrita-like words. (10:18)
The Holy Lord said:
Listen! I shall recount to you my truly divine self-manifestations–only the most prominent because there is no end to my extent. (10:19)
I am the Self abiding in the heart of all beings; I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings as well. (10:20)
Of the Adityas I am Vishnu; of luminaries the radiant Sun; of the Maruts I am Marichi; among the stars I am the Moon. (10:21)
Of the Vedas I am the Sama Veda; of the gods I am Indra; of the senses I am the mind; in all beings I am consciousness. (10:22)
Of the Rudras I am Shankara (Shiva); of the yakshas and rakshasas* I am Kubera; of the Vasus I am Pavaka [Agni]; and of mountains I am Meru. (10:23)
Of priests know me to be the chief, Brihaspati; of commanders of armies I am Skanda; of bodies of water I am the ocean. (10:24)
Of the great Rishis I am Bhrigu; of words I am Om; of sacrifices I am japa; of immovables I am the Himalayas. (10:25)
Of trees I am the ashwattha; of divine seers I am Narada; of the gandharvas I am Chitraratha; among the siddhas I am the sage Kapila. (10:26)
Of horses know me to be Uchchaishravas who was produced from the amrita; of princely elephants I am Airavata; and among men I am the king. (10:27)
Of weapons I am the Thunderbolt of Indra; of cows I am Kamadhenu; of procreators I am Kamadeva; of serpents I am Vasuki. (10:28)
Of Nagas I am Ananta; of water beings Varuna; of Ancestors I am Aryaman; of subduers I am Yama. (10:29)
Of Daityas I am Prahlada; among measurers I am Time; of animals I am the lion; of birds I am Garuda. (10:30)
Of purifiers I am the wind; of warriors I am Rama; of sea creatures I am the dolphin; of rivers I am the Ganges. (10:31)
Of creations I am the beginning, the middle and the end; of knowledge, the knowledge of the Self; of debaters I am logic. (10:32)
Of letters I am the letter A; of compounds I am the dual; I am infinite Time; I am the Sustainer, the Omniscient. (10:33)
I am all-devouring death and the origin of those events that are to be. Among feminine qualities I am fame, prosperity, speech, memory, mental vigor, courage and endurance. (10:34)
Of chants I am the Brihatsaman; of meters I am Gayatri; of months I am Margashirsha; of seasons I am Spring. (10:35)
I am the gambling skill of the fraudulent, the splendor of the splendorous; I am victory and effort; I am the sattwa of the sattwic. (10:36)
Of the Vrishnis I am Krishna; of the Pandavas I am Arjuna; of the sages I am Vyasa; of the poets I am Ushanas. (10:37)
I am the power of rulers, I am the strategy of the ambitious, of secrets I am silence, the knowledge of knowers am I. (10:38)
Also I am that which is the seed of all beings. There is nothing that could exist without existing through me–neither animate nor inanimate. (10:39)
There is no end to my divine manifestations. But this has been declared by me to exemplify the extent of my manifestations. (10:40)
Whatever is glorious or prosperous or powerful, in every instance understand that it springs from but a fraction of my radiant Power. (10:41)
But what is this extensive knowledge to you? I ever support this whole world by just one portion of myself. (10:42)
Here’s a summary of Swamiji’s talk on God as the Source of All:
- God’s Nature: God is described not as a person with human-like emotions or ego but as a supreme being or “Purusha.” God knows and values us as part of His being.
- Beloved by God: Humans are considered beloved by God, but the concept of love here transcends conventional religious ideas. It’s not about loving an unknown entity but recognizing our inherent connection with Divinity.
- Purpose of Worship: Worship is not for God’s benefit but for ours, likened to therapy for healing, elevating, and clarifying consciousness. It’s about personal transformation rather than appeasing a deity.
- Universal Source: God is the origin of everything, including gods, seers, humans, and all aspects of nature. This understanding is crucial for spiritual growth.
- Yoga and Knowledge: True knowledge and intelligence come from God. Yoga is not just an abstract concept but a practical path (sadhana) for realizing this truth, leading to non-delusion, forbearance, truthfulness, self-restraint, and equanimity.
- Human Conditions: All human conditions like happiness, suffering, birth, death, fear, and fearlessness are manifestations from God. Understanding this helps in transcending personal ego and reactions.
- Moral and Ethical Living: Traits like non-injury, impartiality, contentment, and almsgiving are highlighted as arising from God, promoting a life of virtue and compassion.
- Reputation and External Influences: Both good and ill repute should not affect one’s inner peace or spiritual practice, as they are external phenomena.
- Hierarchy and Creation: There’s a mention of ancient sages and beings involved in the creation process, indicating a divine hierarchy where God is the ultimate source, but various beings facilitate the creation.
- Spiritual Practice (Yoga): Yoga is emphasized as the path to unite with God. It involves unwavering practice and living a life that reflects spiritual truths, not just acknowledging them intellectually.
- Worship and Realization: True worship involves recognizing and living in accordance with God’s worth, leading to a deeper personal realization of divinity within oneself.
- Steadfastness in Spirituality: The talk underscores the need for constant steadfastness in spiritual pursuit, akin to being “nailed down with the love for God,” suggesting a life of intense devotion and practice.
This talk aims to clarify misunderstandings about God’s nature, the purpose of life, and spiritual practices, advocating for a life aligned with divine principles for true awakening.
