Bhagavad Gita BG 2.41
Chapter 2, Verse 41 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन । बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम् ॥ ४१ ॥
vyavasāyātmikā buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca buddhayo 'vyavasāyinām
Meaning
Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched and endless.
Understanding
A key verse on the nature of spiritual intelligence. 'Vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ' — the intelligence that is resolute, one-pointed, determined — is singular ('ekā' — one). It has a single focus. By contrast, the intelligence of those who are irresolute ('avyavasāyinām') is 'bahu-śākhā' — many-branched, scattered — and 'anantāḥ' — endless, without limit. The scattered, distracted mind pursues countless directions and achieves nothing. The focused mind advances steadily toward liberation.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| व्यवसायात्मिका | vyavasāyātmikā | resolute / determined / one-pointed in purpose |
| बुद्धिः | buddhiḥ | intelligence / understanding |
| एका | ekā | one / singular |
| बहुशाखाः | bahu-śākhāḥ | many-branched / scattered in many directions |
| अनन्ताः | anantāḥ | endless / without limit / infinite |
| अव्यवसायिनाम् | avyavasāyinām | of the irresolute / of the undecided |
| इह | iha | here / on this path |
| कुरुनन्दन | kuru-nandana | O beloved child of the Kurus (Arjuna) |
| हि | hi | for / indeed (causal) |
| च | ca | and (conjunction) |
| बुद्धयः | buddhayaḥ | the minds / the intellects (of the irresolute) |