A core teaching · reflective in mood · a little context helps
“Resolute seeing unifies the mind; hesitation multiplies it.”
O son of the Kurus, the resolute intellect is one-pointed here. The intellect of the irresolute is many-branched and endless.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyresolute · intellect · one · here · O son of the Kurus · many-branched · indeed · endless · and · intellects · of the irresolute
A focused mind has one clear direction, while an unfocused mind keeps branching into endless doubts and options.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Sankhya Yoga" (The Yoga of Knowledge).
Verse 41 sits in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, "The Yoga of Knowledge". The chapter has 72 verses in total.
A student choosing a college stream can keep collecting opinions from every relative until nothing gets decided. Krishna contrasts that many-branched mind with the resolute one that settles on one direction.
Did you like this verse?
Krishna contrasts the resolute mind, aimed one way, with the irresolute mind branching endlessly.
What this verse means
A focused mind has one clear direction, while an unfocused mind keeps branching into endless doubts and options.
Context & commentary
Krishna explains that the mind seeking freedom needs one steady resolve in place of a dozen wavering arguments. This verse names the difference between clarity and inner fragmentation.
What it looks like today
A student choosing a college stream can keep collecting opinions from every relative until nothing gets decided. Krishna contrasts that many-branched mind with the resolute one that settles on one direction.
“Clarity feels lighter than indecision. One firm choice calms the whole mind.”