Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya 50

Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya

Chapter-2 Sankhya Yogaḥ

vyavasāyātmikā buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana | bahu-śākhā hyanantāśca buddhayo’vyavasāyinām || 41 || 41. In this [Karma Yoga], O Arjuna, the resolute mind is one-pointed; the thoughts of the irresolute are many-branched and endless. Commentary Here, in every ritual prescribed by the Scriptures for the sake of Liberation, the Buddhi or psychological attitude should be characterised by focussing on this single aim. The term 'Vyavasāya' (resolute) indicates unshakeable conviction which is firmly based upon the realisation of the true nature of the Self. On the other hand, lack of single-minded focus characterises the psychological state concerned with the performance of rituals to fulfil specific desires. For the performance of these types of activity, the only understanding required is that the Self exists independently from the body. Such a general understanding is sufficient to qualify for performing the rituals leading to the fulfilment of particular desires. It does not require any deeper insight into the true nature of the Self. For, even without such realisation, the desire for heaven etc., can still arise, the pursuit of them, and the realisation of those goals can take place. For this reason there is no contradiction in the teaching of the Scriptures. The contradiction negated here, is how the same prescribed Scriptural rites produce two different results — (a) fulfilment of material desires and (b) Liberation. The difference in the psychological attitude accounts for the two differing results. Therefore, since the ultimate goal of the Scriptural teachings is Liberation alone, the required mental disposition required for the seekers of Liberation — regarding all that is taught in the Scriptures too, is steadfastness only. But the thoughts of the unsteady ones who are engaged in rituals purely for attaining such goals as heaven, sons, cattle, food etc., are endless, the results too being endless.