The 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, Swamiji gives the background of the Gita: what it is, why it is important, and how the Gita came about. He then discusses the beginning of the discourse–Arjuna’s dilemma at the beginning of the historic battle at Kurukshetra at the beginning of the Mahabharata war.
Swamiji discusses how Krishna responds to Arjuna’s anxieties, beginning with Krishna’s exposition of the nature of the Self.
Here is a brief summary of this Introduction to the Gita:
- Context of the Gita: The Bhagavad Gita is part of the Mahabharata, detailing the immortal conversation between Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, just before the great war begins.
- Arjuna’s Dilemma: Arjuna faces a moral conflict about fighting in a war where he must kill relatives and revered teachers, leading him to initially refuse to fight.
- Krishna’s Teaching: Krishna begins by explaining that sorrow for what is inevitable (death) is misplaced because the soul is eternal, neither born nor does it die. The body changes, but the true self (Atman) does not.
- Eternal Nature of the Soul: Krishna teaches that the soul is indestructible, unchangeable, and beyond birth and death. This perspective should remove the fear of death and grief over it.
- The Illusion of Loss: Krishna discusses how what we perceive as loss or gain in life is an illusion because the true self remains untouched by these changes.
- Karma and Acceptance: The concept of karma is introduced, explaining that actions and their reactions are part of life’s cycle, suggesting acceptance of pleasure and pain with equanimity.
- Wisdom Over Words: Emphasis is placed on the difference between wise words and true wisdom, which understands the deeper reality beyond appearances.
- The Path of Yoga: Krishna subtly introduces the importance of Yoga, not as a physical practice but as a path to realize the Eternal self through meditation and inner awareness.
- The Battle as Metaphor: The battlefield of Kurkshetra symbolizes life’s challenges and the inner battle for higher consciousness, encouraging Arjuna (and by extension, us) to engage in this battle rather than avoid it.
- Encouragement to Fight: Krishna advises Arjuna to fulfill his duty as a warrior, indicating that one must engage in life’s duties not out of attachment but with an understanding of the soul’s immortality.
- Personal Anecdotes: Swami Nirmalananda shares personal stories and insights from spiritual leaders to illustrate the teachings, emphasizing the joy of realizing one’s eternal nature despite bodily decay.
This talk sets the stage for deeper philosophical discussions in subsequent talks, focusing on self-realization, duty, and the eternal nature of existence.
