The 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, Swamiji discusses the Yoga of Action (Karma Yoga) and the Yoga of Knowledge (Jnana Yoga), how they differ and how they are related.

Here are the main points from Swami Nirmalananda's talk on the two paths of yoga from the Bhagavad Gita:

• Arjuna's Dilemma: Arjuna questions Krishna about why he should engage in a battle, which involves terrible deeds, if knowledge is considered superior to action.
• Contradiction in Teachings: Krishna’s teachings seem contradictory to Arjuna, leading him to seek a definite path to the highest good.
• Two Paths to Enlightenment:
• The Path of Knowledge (Jnana Yoga): For the contemplative, this path involves meditation and introspection leading to direct knowledge of the self or Brahman.
• The Path of Action (Karma Yoga): For the active, this involves performing selfless actions without attachment to the results, doing what is right and beneficial.
• Action vs. Inaction: Krishna explains that no one can truly abstain from action due to the inherent nature of the world (governed by the gunas - qualities of nature). Even thinking and meditating are forms of action.
• Self-Deception: One deceives themselves by renouncing physical actions but still desiring the objects mentally. True virtue lies in the state of mind, not just in abstaining from action.
• Controlled Senses and Will: A commendable person controls their senses with willpower, performing actions without personal interest in the outcomes, focusing instead on what actions signify or lead to spiritually.
• Duty and Karma: Duty or one’s karma should be performed as an offering to the Divine, without attachment to the fruits of actions. This is how one honors the deities or the natural order set by the divine.
• Divine Cycle and Human Duty: In the beginning, beings were created with duties according to their karma. Fulfilling these duties leads to spiritual prosperity and fulfillment of desires in alignment with cosmic purpose.
• Gratitude through Action: By performing our karma, we show gratitude to the creators or deities for our existence and the opportunity to evolve. This, in turn, ensures that our prayers or wishes are granted by being in harmony with the divine plan.

Swami Nirmalananda Giri concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding and acting upon one's karma as a form of thanks and a path towards spiritual awakening, encouraging listeners to engage actively with the teachings of the Gita.