व्यवसाय आत्मिका बुद्धिः एक इह कुरुनंदन ।
बहुशाखा हि अनंताः च बुद्धयः अव्यवसायिनाम् ॥ २.४१ ॥
ವ್ಯವಸಾಯ ಆತ್ಮಿಕಾ ಬುದ್ಧಿಃ ಏಕ ಇಹ ಕುರುನಂದನ |
ಬಹುಶಾಖಾ ಹಿ ಅನಂತಾಃ ಚ ಬುದ್ಧಯಃ ಅವ್ಯವಸಾಯಿನಾಮ್ || ೨.೪೧ ||
vyavasAya AtmikA buddhiH Eka iha kurunaMdana |
bahushAkhA hi anaMtAH cha buddhayaH avyavasAyinAm || 2.41 ||
O delight of the Kurus, the teaching which forms the true conclusion here is but one; whereas, the teachings of those who have not come to the true conclusion are many branched and endless.
1. In the earlier verse, it was stated by Shri Krishna to Arjuna to listen to His instruction regarding the methods or means of obtaining knowledge.
But then there are several conflicting expositions of what constitutes the true means of knowledge of Ishwara and their implementation in action – yOga, due to divergent opinion of thinkers. So how can I pin my faith on Your words alone as against the rest?
To the above imaginary question that could be raised by Arjuna, Shri Krishna says
‘The teachings which embodies the true conclusions is only one. Though different thinkers are satisfied that theirs is the right view of the means of JnAnam, it is to be noted that all opinions which have been irrefragably established on sound pramAnas should confirm to single pattern and be uniform with one another’
2. kurunaMdana ! iha vyavasAyAtmikA buddhiH Eka Eva
Oh ! giver of happiness to Kuru dynasty, in this world (or in Vedas) that which is supported or established by impeachable authorities, such words are only ONE. There is no doubt.
avyavasAyinAm buddhayaH bahushAkhAH
But those not determined by valid authorities, are many having many branches.
anaMtAH cha
They are many. (antaH na = Not established by authorities. They are NOT Vaidika or not having concurrence of Vedas.)
hi = Ths is the fundamental truth.
3. Some of the points to be noted from this verse.
(a.) Truth is single and uniform.
(b. ) Truthful sciences are never in conflict.
(c. ) Untested and unauthoritative tecahings are only diverse and are manifold.
(d. ) The conflict is NOT between ‘Karma Yoga’ and ‘Kamya Karma’ in particular, but between truthful and untruthful systems o thought.
(e. ) The reply given by Shri Krishna is of Universal application holding good in the Vedic religion and philosophy, so also in worldly matters.
vyavasAyAtmikA buddhiH Ekeha means ‘In Vedic and orldly matters, the teaching that is tested is ONE and uniform.’
4. Suming up Srimad Acharya and authority for this.
(i) The minds of all true devotess who are guided by reason, are bound to run in one groove, the goal being salvation by the worship of Shri Vishnu.
(ii) Al of them, when properly intructed choose Vishnu and engage only in His worship with respect.
(iii) It is only the unbelievers that will take desirous and diverse courses.
(iv) Please forgive me if I made any errors in Typing this Sanskrit Verse from Brahma Vaivarta Purana quoted by Srimad Acharya.The actual Sanskrit verse can be seen from the above link.
buddhirnirnotatatvAnAM Eka vishnuparAyaNA
bahushAkhAH hi anantAshcha buddhayOavyavasAyinAm
The belief of those whose conviction is settled in one-pointed sheltering is Vishnu. The belief of unbelievers are many branched and endless.
5. buddhiH = Teaching in this context and NOT intellect.
iha = Not only Vedas, but also human compositions which are valid, powrusheya gramthas or agamas