In Bhagavad Gita 2.41, Krishna says that the resolute intellect on this path is one-pointed, while the thoughts of the irresolute are many-branched and endless.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिर्
एकेह कुरुनन्दन
बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च
बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम् ॥ २-४१ ॥
vyavasāyātmikā buddhir
ekeha kurunandana
bahuśākhā hyanantāśca
buddhayo’vyavasāyinām
English transliteration vyavasaayaatmikaa buddhir
ekeha kurunandana
bahushaakhaa hyanantaashcha
buddhayo’vyavasaayinaam ॥ 2.41 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Here the resolute intellect is single and one-pointed, O joy of the Kurus; but the thoughts of the irresolute are many-branched and endless.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| व्यवसायात्मिका vyavasāyātmikā | resolute vyavasāya (determination) + ātmikā (of the nature of) |
| बुद्धिः buddhiḥ | intellect |
| एका ekā | one, single |
| इह iha | here |
| कुरुनन्दन kurunandana | O joy of the Kurus |
| बहुशाखाः bahuśākhāḥ | many-branched bahu (many) + śākhāḥ (branches) |
| हि hi | indeed |
| अनन्ताः anantāḥ | endless |
| च ca | and |
| बुद्धयः buddhayaḥ | thoughts |
| अव्यवसायिनाम् avyavasāyinām | of the irresolute |
Word-wise Chanting
- vya–va–sā–yāt–mi–kā bud–dhir– 8 syllables vya-va-saa-yaat-mi-kaa bud-dhir-
- e–ke–ha ku–ru–nan–da–na | 8 syllables e-ke-ha ku-ru-nan-da-na
- ba–hu–śā–khā hya–nan–tāś–ca 8 syllables ba-hu-shaa-khaa hya-nan-taash-cha
- bud–dha–yo–‘vya–va–sā–yi–nām || 2-41 8 syllables bud-dha-yo-‘vya-va-saa-yi-naam
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 2 Verse 41
Context
Krishna explains the kind of mind that makes the yoga of action possible.
Meaning
Vyavasāya means firm resolve. A resolute intellect has one aim and moves steadily toward it. The irresolute mind divides into countless branches: wants, fears, plans and doubts, each leading in a different direction. Such a mind cannot act well, because its energy is scattered.
Concentration is the secret of every achievement, spiritual or worldly. The Gita asks us to unify the mind around one central purpose, the realisation of the Self through right action. When the mind is unified, life becomes simpler and clearer. Many apparent problems dissolve once we know what we really want.
In Practice
Write down the one purpose that matters most to you in this season of life. Let it decide one choice that you have been unsure about.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.