The twenty-second 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 4:29, Swamiji discusses Different forms of sacrifice (yagña, offering), what pranayama really is, and diet as a spiritual offering, plus other aspects of Krishna’a teachings in the Gita.
Here are the Gita verses (4:29-4:32) covered in this talk:
Some offer inhalation into exhalation, and exhalation into inhalation, restraining the paths of inhalation and exhalation, intent upon control of the breath (pranayama). (4:29)
Others who have restricted their food offer the pranas into the pranas. All these are knowers of sacrifice whose wrongdoings have been annihilated through sacrifice. (4:30)
Eating the amrita of the sacrificial remains, they go to the Eternal Brahman. Even this world is not for the non-sacrificing–how then the other worlds? (4:31)
Sacrifices of many kinds are spread out before the face of Brahman. Know them all to be born from action. Knowing thus, you shall be liberated. (4:32)
Here is a summary of the Gita Talk on “What is Pranayama?”
- Understanding Pranayama: Pranayama is not merely about controlling the breath but involves understanding and mastering the subtle life force or prana through the breath.
- Inhalation and Exhalation: The practice involves offering the inhalation into exhalation and vice versa, creating a seamless flow where the distinction between inhaling and exhaling becomes subtle. The mantra “Soham” (meaning “I am That”) aids in this process, where ‘So’ is mentally intoned with each inhalation and ‘Ham’ (pronounced “hum”) in mentally intoned with each exhalation.
- Breath as Subtle Movement: Over time, the physical act of breathing slows down significantly, becoming almost imperceptible, as one focuses on the subtle energy behind the breath rather than the breath itself.
- Control vs. Mastery: The goal isn’t to control the breath in terms of holding it but to merge with it, experiencing breath as an expression of one’s deeper consciousness.
- Diet and Prana: Diet plays a crucial role in pranayama; a pure, vegan diet is recommended as it provides unconditioned energy free from the negative karma or characteristics of animal consciousness. This diet contributes to the refinement of both the physical and subtle bodies, aiding in spiritual practice.
- Food as Sacrifice: The act of eating restricted, pure food is seen as a sacrifice, offering the prana from food into one’s spiritual practice, thereby transforming and elevating one’s subtle energies.
- Transmutation and Immortality: Through these practices, one can transmute the material world into spiritual essence, leading to immortality or liberation. Krishna emphasizes that this world is meant for yogis who engage in such sacrifices.
- Presence of Brahman: The practice of pranayama and the associated sacrifices are performed in the presence of Brahman, indicating a constant divine interaction where our actions are offerings to the Divine.
- Action and Liberation: All these practices stem from action, and by understanding and engaging in them consciously, one moves towards liberation. The importance of performing these actions is highlighted as the path to knowing and experiencing enlightenment.
Swamiji concludes by encouraging the audience to engage in these practices, seeing them as integral to spiritual growth and ultimate liberation, aligning one’s life with God through mindful action.
