Vyavasayatmika buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana bahu-shakha hy anantas ca buddhayo 'vyavasayinam
Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. But the thoughts of those who are irresolute are many-branched and endless. The focused, single-pointed mind is the instrument of wisdom and liberation. The scattered mind that pursues many desires simultaneously achieves nothing of lasting value.
- •Single-pointed resolve is the foundation of spiritual practice
- •The undisciplined mind scatters its energy in endless directions
- •One-pointed determination is necessary for liberation
Indriyanan hi caratam yan mano 'nuvidhiyate tad asya harati prajnam vayur navam ivambhasi
Just as a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the roaming senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a person's intelligence. The analogy is vivid and powerful — a single sense faculty, when allowed to dominate the mind, can hijack one's entire wisdom and throw one off the path of liberation.
- •A single uncontrolled sense can destroy accumulated wisdom
- •The mind following even one sense loses its steadiness
- •Vigilance over each sense faculty individually is essential for the spiritual aspirant
Indriyani mano buddhir asyaadhishthanam ucyate, etair vimohayaty esha jnanam avritya dehinam
The senses, the mind, and the intellect are said to be the seat of desire. Through these it deludes the embodied soul by covering its true knowledge.
- •Desire operates through senses, mind, and intellect
- •Self-knowledge is obscured from within
- •Purifying these instruments purifies the self
Indriyani parany ahur indriyebhyah param manah, manasas tu para buddhir yo buddheh paratas tu sah
The senses are superior to the gross body, the mind is superior to the senses, the intellect is superior to the mind, and the soul is superior to the intellect.
- •Hierarchy of human faculties
- •The soul transcends all material faculties
- •Use higher faculties to control lower ones
Sukham atyantikam yat tad buddhi-grahyam atindriyam, vetti yatra na caivayam sthitas chalati tattvatah
That which is the infinite happiness, grasped by the intellect and beyond the senses — knowing which, the yogi is established and never deviates from truth. This transcendent happiness is the goal of all meditation: not sense pleasure, but the infinite bliss known directly through a purified intellect.
- •Infinite happiness is beyond the senses and grasped by the intellect
- •Knowing this happiness, the yogi stands firm in truth
- •The bliss of Self-realization far exceeds any sensory experience
Shanaih shanair uparamed buddhya dhriti-grihitaya, atma-samstham manah kritva na kinchid api chintayet
Gradually, step by step, with the intellect endowed with steadiness, one should bring the mind to stillness, and think of nothing else.
- •Gradual progress in meditation
- •Use intellect to guide the mind
- •Complete mental stillness is the goal
Mayy eva mana ādhatsva mayi buddhiṁ niveśhaya, nivasiṣhyasi mayy eva ata ūrdhvaṁ na sanśhayaḥ
Fix your mind on Me alone and let your intellect dwell upon Me. Thereafter, you shall certainly live in Me. Of this, there is no doubt.
- •Complete mental focus on God
- •Intellect aligned with devotion
- •Assurance of divine union
buddher bhedam dhriteh caiva gunatas tri-vidham srinu procyamanam asesena prithaktvena dhananjaya
Krishna now invites Arjuna to hear the threefold division of intellect and steadiness according to the gunas, which he will explain completely and separately. This systematic teaching on buddhi and dhriti is essential for discernment and discipline.
- •Intellect and steadiness are each threefold according to the three gunas
- •Systematic understanding of gunic qualities is essential for self-knowledge
- •Krishna's thorough analysis helps Arjuna discern the quality of his own inner faculties