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 eighty-fifth 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, beginning with Chapter 18:23, Swamiji discusses three types of action according to the gunas: sattwa, rajas, and tamas, as well as the three types of doers of action.Swamiji explains Krishna’s teaching on three kinds of action as defined by their motive, attitude, and effect. These types align with the three gunas: sattwa (purity), rajas (restlessness), and tamas (ignorance).Sattwic Action – Right and Pure • Performed as a duty, without ego, and without craving for the result. • Can be ordained by scripture (dharma shastras) or by one’s inner conscience and good sense. • Done not because it’s pleasant or convenient, but because it’s right. • Free of likes, dislikes, fear, or compulsion. • Example: telling a loved one a hard truth for their benefit—not because it’s enjoyable, but because it’s necessary and right.This action creates good karma but is not driven by desire for reward.Rajasic Action – Driven by Ego and Desire • Done with a personal agenda, seeking fulfillment of desires, recognition, or gain. • Effortful in a wasteful or obsessive way, beyond good sense. • Focused on self-centered outcomes—“what’s in it for me?” • May look noble, but its root is ego, not dharma.Overexertion, emotional restlessness, and attachment mark rajasic action.Tamasic Action – Deluded and Destructive • Arises from ignorance, confusion, or delusion. • Done without considering outcomes, morality, or one’s actual ability. • Example: acting rashly, stubbornly, or in a vengeful spirit, thinking it’s justified. • Includes actions done out of resentment, inertia, laziness, or even perverse pettiness (like refusing to help someone out of fear they might benefit).This kind of action brings harm and blocks spiritual growth.The Three Types of Doers (Actors)Swamiji also examines the “doer”—the one who performs action: • Sattwic Doer: unattached, calm, steady, unaffected by success or failure. • Rajasic Doer: restless, greedy, violent, emotional, and prideful. • Tamasic Doer: stubborn, dishonest, lazy, depressed, or so hesitant they can’t act at all.Swamiji’s CommentarySwamiji reflects on how some people refuse to do the right thing even in small matters, simply to deny benefit to others. He shares anecdotes about extreme selfishness—like refusing to vacate a parking spot to prevent others from using remaining meter time—as examples of tamasic behavior in real life.He emphasizes that awareness of motive is crucial. The path of liberation involves moving from tamasic confusion, through rajasic ambition, to sattwic clarity and purpose, and ultimately beyond all three gunas.
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.
