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Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

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Duty & actionChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.402.42

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.41

Working with resolute intelligence

व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरूनन्दन ।

बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम् ॥ ४१ ॥

vyavasāyātmikā buddhir

ekeha kuru-nandana

bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca

buddhayo ’vyavasāyinām

Translation

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.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

One Steady Aim

  1. 1Those on this path have one firm aim; those who are unsure have intelligence that branches in many directions.
  2. 2Firm purpose rests on strong faith that Kṛṣṇa consciousness leads to life's highest perfection. Serving Kṛṣṇa gives the highest service to everyone.
  3. 3Practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness under a genuine spiritual master's guidance, accepting his instructions as your mission in life.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 2, Contents of the Gītā Summarized: working with resolute intelligence.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Act dutifully without attachment to fruits.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Spiritual intelligence

Resolute intelligence has a single purpose.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.41 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 2 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.39Working with resolute intelligenceBG 10.10Intelligence granted through devotionBG 2.40Working with resolute intelligenceBG 3.21Leadership by example

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 2.41 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.