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.
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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 eighty-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, continuing with Chapter 17:20 to the end of the chapter, Swamiji discusses the threefold kinds of giving, according to the gunas, and the meaning of OM TAT SAT.Gita Talk #82: Om Tat Sat — SummaryContext: Chapter 17 concludes with Krishna’s explanation of how intention, quality, and sacred vibration affect spiritual acts like sacrifice, giving, and self-discipline. • True Giving (Dana):* Should be done with the thought “It is right to give” — without expectation of return or karmic benefit.* Must be directed toward worthy recipients in a proper place and time.* Giving out of duty, love, or reverence brings real spiritual merit. • Improper Giving:* Given with desire for reward, recognition, or social status = rajasic.* Given reluctantly or inappropriately = tamasic.* Even charity done without respect, or with disdain, is spiritually harmful. • The Sacred Formula: Om Tat Sat:* Om: The primal sound, cosmic vibration, seed of creation.* Tat: “That” — denoting selfless action beyond ego or ownership.* Sat: The Real, the Good, the True — also referring to dharmic action and righteous behavior.* This threefold mantra signifies purity in intent, method, and purpose. • Applications:* All true spiritual actions — sacrifice, austerity, gift — are to begin with Om, offered in the spirit of Tat, and established in Sat.* Shraddha (faith) is vital: not blind belief, but a deep certainty born of understanding and experience.* Without faith, such actions are “asat” — unreal, ineffective both here and hereafter. • Final Thought:* Om Tat Sat is both the formula and the inner attitude of the seeker walking the path of liberation.Swamiji concludes with anticipation for the final chapter — the grand summary of the Bhagavad Gita.
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.
