Gita Talk 89– Attaining Perfection by Duty

The eighty-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 18:45, Swamiji discusses about swakarma (a person’s own duty), and how it is better to do ones own duty, though flawed, than another's duty done well.

Core Teaching

• Perfection (siddhi) is attained by fulfilling one’s own dharma (swadharma)—the duty aligned with one’s innate nature (swabhava).

• True contentment and strength arise from acting in harmony with one’s inner being, not by imitating others.

• Living your personal dharma—even if imperfectly—is better and safer than trying to live another’s, even if it looks superior.

Worship Through Dharma

• Worship is not just ritual, but living your inner truth.

• Performing your own duties well is the highest form of offering to God, who is the origin and sustainer of all.

• Spiritual practice that aligns with your true karmic nature purifies the mind and brings you closer to Brahman.

Important Distinctions

• Even if your swadharma appears flawed or humble, it is never wrong if done sincerely.

• All worldly actions are touched by imperfection, just as fire is accompanied by smoke.

• The Yogi’s path is about perseverance, detachment, and inner strength, not outward success.

Qualities of the Perfected Yogi

• Intellect is detached, not influenced by outer praise or blame.

• Lower self is subdued; desires are weakened or transcended.

• Actions are no longer karma-producing—he acts in freedom.

• The perfected Yogi has:

• Pure intellect (vishuddhi)

• Control over senses and mind

• Equanimity toward attraction and aversion

• A solitary, inward-focused life

• Light diet and light living

• Discipline in speech, thought, and behavior

• Constant devotion to meditation and japa

Warnings

• Spiritual life must be balanced—not negligent of family or daily duties.

• Avoid hypocrisy: pretending to be spiritual while abandoning responsibility is tamasic.

• Repressing desires without inner transformation is not real renunciation—true detachment is when the desire itself is gone.

Closing Message

• Fulfill your own swadharma fully, without envy or imitation.

• Even imperfect effort in your true calling brings real spiritual advancement.

• The path to Brahman begins with sincere, self-true action.