Gita Talk 80–Spiritual Practice & the Gunas

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.