Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 41

Chapter 2 – Sankhya Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन ।
बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम् ॥

Transliteration

vyavasāyātmikā buddhirekeha kurunandana .
bahuśākhā hyanantāśca buddhayo.avyavasāyinām ॥

Meaning

O joy of the Kurus, on this path the resolute intellect is single and one-pointed; but the thoughts of the irresolute are many-branched and endless.

Word meanings

व्यवसायात्मिका – resolute, decisive
बुद्धिः – intellect, understanding
एका – one, single
इह – here, on this path
कुरुनन्दन – O joy of the Kurus
बहुशाखाः – many-branched
हि – for, indeed
अनन्ताः – endless
च – and
बुद्धयः – thoughts, notions
अव्यवसायिनाम् – of the irresolute

Anvaya (word order)

कुरुनन्दन, इह व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिः एका (भवति); अव्यवसायिनां बुद्धयः हि बहुशाखाः अनन्ताः च (भवन्ति) ।

Explanation

The first mark of karma yoga is ‘vyavasayatmika buddhi’ — a resolute, focused intellect. Krishna says that the one who walks this path has an intellect fixed on a single goal: attaining God or purifying the self. All his actions flow towards that one aim, as many rivers flow into one ocean.

In contrast, those without resolve have an intellect that is ‘bahu-shakha’, many-branched. When one desire is fulfilled another springs up, and each desire sprouts many more, like countless twigs growing from a tree's branches. Such a mind is never at peace, for its directions are ‘ananta’, endless.

Shankara explains that this resolute understanding arises from valid knowledge — the teaching of scripture and teacher — and it dispels the many conflicting notions of the mind. Ramanuja says that in all actions done for liberation the aim is one — attaining the Self — whereas those who seek fruits have a different aim for every fruit.

The verse is a vital principle for modern life. One who runs in ten directions arrives nowhere. A clear goal and a focused mind are the key to success, worldly and spiritual alike.

Context

In 2.40 Krishna said no effort in karma yoga is wasted. Here He gives its first requirement — a resolute intellect. In the next verses (2.42–2.44) He describes those whose minds are scattered by desire for enjoyments.

Life lesson

Set one clear, high aim in life and focus your energy on it. A mind divided among countless desires never finds peace or real achievement.

Key terms

Vyavasayatmika buddhi: resolute, one-pointed understanding
Bahu-shakha: many-branched, scattered
Avyavasayi: one lacking firm resolve