The forty-ninth 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 9:19, Swamiji discusses what Krishna says is his relationship to the world, what happens if one attains the world of Indra (the king of the devas), as well as ways of worshipping: those who worship God, and those who worship God with a mistaken approach, among other topics.
Here are the Gita verses (9:19–9:28) covered in this talk:
As the sun I radiate heat; I withhold and send forth rain; I am immortality and death; being and non-being am I. (9:19)
The knowers of the three Vedas, the Soma drinkers, purified of sins, worshipping by sacrifices, seek the goal of heaven; they, the meritorious, attaining the world of Indra, enjoy divine, heavenly pleasures of the gods. (9:20)
Having enjoyed the vast heaven-world, with merit exhausted, they reenter the world of mortals. Thus, carrying out the injunctions of the three Vedas, desiring objects of desire, going and coming from birth to birth, they obtain them. (9:21)
Those men who single-mindedly direct their thoughts to me, worship me. For them who are constantly steadfast I bestow what they lack and preserve that which they possess. (9:22)
Even those who with devotion worship other gods also worship me, though with a mistaken approach. (9:23)
Truly I am the Enjoyer and Lord of all sacrifices; but because they do not know me in truth they fall back into rebirth in this world. (9:24)
Those who are devoted to the gods go to the gods. Those who are devoted to the ancestors go to the ancestors. Those who are devoted to the spirits go to the spirits. Those who are devoted to me surely come to me. (9:25)
Whoever offers to me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I accept that offering of devotion from him whose heart is pure. (9:26)
Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give, whatever tapasya you practice, do that as an offering to me. (9:27)
Thus shall you be freed from the bonds of actions producing both good and evil fruits. Steadfast in the yoga of renunciation and totally liberated, you shall come to me. (9:28)
Here’s a summary of Swamiji’s talk on Ways of Worshipping:
- Krishna’s Universal Presence: Krishna explains his omnipresence by stating he, as a manifestation of God, is the sun, provider of heat and rain, and embodies both immortality and death, being and non-being.
- Heavenly Realms: Heaven in the context of the Gita is described as a place where gods reside, offering not just pleasure but an opportunity for spiritual growth. However, one can get lost in its beauty and pleasures, leading to a return to earthly life upon exhaustion of merit.
- Cycle of Rebirth: Those who worship to gain access to heavenly pleasures without true knowledge of God will return to the cycle of birth and death, as they haven’t transcended the desire for material or sensory pleasures.
- True Worship: Worship should be directed towards recognizing God’s infinite being. True worshipers fix their minds on God, which leads to spiritual evolution and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
- Worship of Lesser Deities: Even those who worship other gods or lesser beings ultimately worship God, as He is the source of all gods. However, this worship might not lead to liberation if not combined with the understanding of God’s true nature.
- Offerings in Worship: God accepts offerings like leaves, flowers, fruits, or even simple things like a candy bar, emphasizing that the purity of heart in the offering is what matters, not the material value of the offering.
- Living Life as an Offering: Every action, including eating, giving, and performing spiritual practices, should be done as an offering to God, which liberates one from the karmic consequences of actions (good or bad).
- Liberation through Devotion: Devotion to God, understanding His true nature, and living life in dedication to Him leads to freedom from the bonds of action and the cycle of birth and death.
- Personal Relationship with God: The talk hints at future discussions about the personal relationship one can have with God, portraying God in various human roles to facilitate worship and understanding.
This talk underscores the importance of the intention behind worship, the understanding of God’s nature, and how one’s actions and life can be lived as a form of worship to achieve spiritual liberation.
