Talks on the Bhagavad Gita by Swami Nirmalananda Giri
About the Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is the most popular of the scriptures of Hinduism. In this series of talks on India’s spiritual classic, Swami Nirmalananda illumines its importance for all spiritual seekers, and for yogis in particular.
The Bhagavad gita is the immortal dialog between Sri Krishna and the yogi-warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra on the eve of the Mahabharata war.
In 700 verses, the sage Vyasa relates the teachings of Sri Krishna on the foundational philosophy and practices necessary to succeed in spiritual life.
In these talks Swami Nirmalananda gives explanations of Sri Krishna’s teachings in the Gita which will be of practical value both to beginners and also to experienced students in spiritual life. Most talks are about 20 minutes long, though some are longer.
About the Speaker
These talks are by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke), the founder and director of the Atma Jyoti Ashram (Light of the Spirit Monastery) in Cedar Crest, New Mexico, USA. His writings are featured on the monastery’s website, OCOY.org.
Swamiji has over a half a century of background in study of the world’s religions. During his first trip to India in 1963 he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha.
In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma.
Swami Nirmalananda is the author of numerous books on practical spiritual life, including his own translation of the Bhagavad Gita, and his commentary on the Gita, The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening.
All content for Gita Talks is the property of Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Talks on the Bhagavad Gita by Swami Nirmalananda Giri
About the Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is the most popular of the scriptures of Hinduism. In this series of talks on India’s spiritual classic, Swami Nirmalananda illumines its importance for all spiritual seekers, and for yogis in particular.
The Bhagavad gita is the immortal dialog between Sri Krishna and the yogi-warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra on the eve of the Mahabharata war.
In 700 verses, the sage Vyasa relates the teachings of Sri Krishna on the foundational philosophy and practices necessary to succeed in spiritual life.
In these talks Swami Nirmalananda gives explanations of Sri Krishna’s teachings in the Gita which will be of practical value both to beginners and also to experienced students in spiritual life. Most talks are about 20 minutes long, though some are longer.
About the Speaker
These talks are by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke), the founder and director of the Atma Jyoti Ashram (Light of the Spirit Monastery) in Cedar Crest, New Mexico, USA. His writings are featured on the monastery’s website, OCOY.org.
Swamiji has over a half a century of background in study of the world’s religions. During his first trip to India in 1963 he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha.
In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma.
Swami Nirmalananda is the author of numerous books on practical spiritual life, including his own translation of the Bhagavad Gita, and his commentary on the Gita, The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening.
The eightieth 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 17:11, Swamiji discusses what is sacrifice (yagna), and Observing the teachings of the scriptures.All spiritual practices—including sacrifice (yajna), charity, food, speech, and behavior—are influenced by the gunas: • Sattwa: Harmony, clarity, and spiritual illumination. • Rajas: Desire-driven, restless, ostentatious activity. • Tamas: Ignorant, destructive, and contrary to dharma.Sacrifice (Yajna) in the Gunas Sattwic Sacrifice: • Done in strict accordance with scripture and dharmic tradition. • Performed without selfish desire for results. • Done with inner focus and reverence—“This is to be offered.” • Leads to purification and realization of the Self. Rajasic Sacrifice: • Performed for show, personal gain, or social status. • Motivated by ego, pride, or desire for spiritual merit. Tamasic Sacrifice: • Disregards scripture and lacks faith. • Done with no offering, no mantras, no devotion. • Often exploitative, empty, or even harmful.Food and the Gunas Sattwic Food: • Increases life, health, clarity, cheerfulness. • Flavorful, nourishing, clean, and well-prepared. • Helps refine mind and body for spiritual insight. Rajasic Food: • Overly spicy, bitter, salty, or hot. • Causes agitation, craving, and imbalance. Tamasic Food: • Stale, spoiled, leftover, impure, or meat. • Brings inertia, dullness, and disease. • Includes food offered without love or shared improperly.True Austerity (Tapas) of Body and Speech Bodily Austerity Includes: Reverence for the gods, sages, teachers, and wise beings. • Purity, humility, non-violence (ahimsa), and self-control. Speech Austerity (Vak Tapas): • Pleasant, beneficial, truthful, and non-hurtful speech. • Avoids gossip, harshness, or showing off knowledge. • Ideally, it uplifts others and reflects dharmic values.Key Insights from Swamiji’s Commentary • Many people adopt extreme practices not prescribed by scripture—motivated by self-hatred or ego. • Authentic sadhana is balanced, joyful, and grounded in scriptural wisdom. • “Food is vibration”—what we eat literally affects our mental and spiritual state. • Religion must pervade all aspects of life. Any area held back becomes a weakness. • Revering higher beings—like devas or enlightened teachers—is not “superstition,” but spiritual realism. • We become what we worship: Gods uplift us, ghosts degrade us.
Gita Talks
Talks on the Bhagavad Gita by Swami Nirmalananda Giri
About the Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is the most popular of the scriptures of Hinduism. In this series of talks on India’s spiritual classic, Swami Nirmalananda illumines its importance for all spiritual seekers, and for yogis in particular.
The Bhagavad gita is the immortal dialog between Sri Krishna and the yogi-warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra on the eve of the Mahabharata war.
In 700 verses, the sage Vyasa relates the teachings of Sri Krishna on the foundational philosophy and practices necessary to succeed in spiritual life.
In these talks Swami Nirmalananda gives explanations of Sri Krishna’s teachings in the Gita which will be of practical value both to beginners and also to experienced students in spiritual life. Most talks are about 20 minutes long, though some are longer.
About the Speaker
These talks are by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke), the founder and director of the Atma Jyoti Ashram (Light of the Spirit Monastery) in Cedar Crest, New Mexico, USA. His writings are featured on the monastery’s website, OCOY.org.
Swamiji has over a half a century of background in study of the world’s religions. During his first trip to India in 1963 he was given sannyas by Swami Vidyananda Giri, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, who had himself been given sannyas by the Shankaracharya of Puri, Jagadguru Bharat Krishna Tirtha.
In his many pilgrimages to India, he had the opportunity of meeting some of India’s greatest spiritual figures, including Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and Anandamayi Ma.
Swami Nirmalananda is the author of numerous books on practical spiritual life, including his own translation of the Bhagavad Gita, and his commentary on the Gita, The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening.
