Verse 2.41
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन। बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम्॥
Transliteration (IAST)
vyavasāyātmikā buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca buddhayo 'vyavasāyinām
Word-by-Word Meanings
vyavasāya-ātmikā-resolute/determined
buddhiḥ-intelligence
ekā-one/single
bahu-śākhāḥ-many-branched
avyavasāyinām-of the irresolute
Translation
In this path, the resolute understanding is single-pointed, O joy of the Kurus. But the thoughts of the irresolute are many-branched and endless.
Commentary
Krishna contrasts the focused mind of the spiritual practitioner with the scattered mind of the worldly person. Single-pointed determination (vyavasāya) is essential for spiritual progress. The irresolute mind, pulled in countless directions by desires, can never achieve the concentration needed for Self-realization.
Themes
yogajnana