The seventy-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, continuing with Chapter 17:05, Swamiji discusses externals in religion, and how they can affect us, and the food, sacrifice, tapasya and almsgiving liked by people of different gunas.
For those wishing to make a deeper study of the Gita, Swamiji’s commentary on the Gita, The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening: A Practical Commentary for Leading a Successful Spiritual Life can be found at Amazon.com.
Here are the Gita verses (17:05–17:10) covered in this talk:
Those of extreme austerities–
Unscriptural–given to show
And egoity, impelled by
The force of lust and attachment, (5)
Do torture, senseless as they are,
All the organs in the body,
And Me, the body’s indweller.
Know them as of demonic will. (6)
The food also liked by each one
Is threefold, as is sacrifice,
Austerity, and almsgiving.
Hear from Me now their distinction. (7)
Food building life, purity, strength,
Health, joy, cheerfulness, appetite,
Savory, agreeable, and
Substantial–such the sattwic like. (8)
Foods that are bitter, sour, salty,
Excessively hot, pungent, dry,
And burning, the rajasic like–
Producing pain, grief, and disease. (9)
That which is stale, tasteless, stinking,
Cooked overnight, refuse, impure,
Is the food the tamasic like.
This is the truth, O Arjuna. (10)
Here are the main points from this talk How Externals Affect Us Internally:
🧘♂️ Spiritual Context
- Everything in creation is vibration—including matter—so external environments and objects influence our inner state.
- Even seemingly minor aspects (e.g., food, sounds, surroundings) can affect consciousness; nothing is truly insignificant on the path to Self-realization.
- Swamiji emphasizes discrimination (viveka) in evaluating what helps or hinders spiritual life.
🔥 Misguided Austerity and Harmful Practices
- Some people engage in extreme austerities not sanctioned by the scriptures, often driven by self-hatred, ego, or attention-seeking.
- These practices can be harmful to the body and mind, and often arise from tamasic delusion rather than sincere spiritual aspiration.
- True purity lies in the mind and consciousness—not just the physical body.
🍽️ Threefold Division of Food (Gunas)
- Sattvic Foods (pure, uplifting):
- Increase life, vitality, strength, cheerfulness, and clarity.
- Are flavorful, substantial, and satisfying without causing distress.
- Examples: wholesome, fresh, balanced foods.
- Rajasic Foods (agitating):
- Pungent, sour, salty, excessively hot, harsh, stimulating.
- Cause agitation, restlessness, and sometimes disease.
- Often pursued by those obsessed with control, discipline, or dietary fads.
- Tamasic Foods (degrading):
- Stale, overripe, leftover, putrid, or decomposed foods.
- Include meat and food offered or taken from others’ plates.
- Such foods cloud the mind and dull spiritual perception.
🔄 Energy and Food Exchange
- Accepting food or items from others—especially negative individuals—can transfer energetic imprints or vibrations.
- Swamiji warns against prana theft or negative energy exchange, especially when people are unaware or manipulative.
- Even garments can carry energy; discretion is necessary in both giving and receiving.
⚖️ Integration of Dharma in Daily Life
- True yoga and spiritual life must pervade all aspects of one’s life.
- There is no such thing as a “private” part of life exempt from dharma—partial sincerity leads to hypocrisy and failure.
- If someone is unwilling to apply dharmic principles universally, they should not claim to be on the spiritual path.
🪷 Closing Note
- With characteristic humor and self-deprecation, Swamiji closes by affirming that despite imperfections, sincerity and persistence matter most.
- “I’m all I’ve got”—a reminder that transformation begins with who we are now, not some idealized self.
Below is an audio version of this talk from our Gita Talks Podcast

Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke)
Swami Nirmalananda Giri, founder of Light of the Spirit Monastery, has spent over six decades immersed in the study and practice of Yoga and and the spiritual traditions of East and West. He is the author of more than 30 books on meditation, practical spiritual life and Sanatana Dharma. Learn more »