O beloved of the Kurus, regarding the attainment of this equanimous intellect, the resolute intellect is single-pointed. The intellects of irresolute men are indeed endless and many-branched.
Commentary: 'O beloved of the Kurus, the resolute intellect...' The goal (target) that the Karma Yoga practitioner-sadhaka aims to attain is that equanimity which is the very nature of the Supreme Self. For attaining that equanimity, which is the form of the Supreme Self, equanimity of the inner being is the means; attachment to the world is an obstacle to the equanimity of the inner being. That one determination to remove that attachment, or to attain the Supreme Truth, is called the resolute intellect. Why is the resolute intellect singular? Because it involves the renunciation of desire for worldly objects, substances, etc. This renunciation is one and the same, whether one renounces desire for wealth or desire for honor and prestige. However, in acquisition, there are many things because each single thing is of many kinds; for example, a single sweet can be of many varieties. Therefore, the desires for these things are also many, endless. In the Gita, the description of the resolute intellect appears in the sections on Karma Yoga (the present verse) and Bhakti Yoga (9.30), but it does not appear in the section on Jnana Yoga. The reason for this is that in Jnana Yoga, first comes the realization of one's true nature, and then, as a result, the intellect automatically becomes one of firm resolve. In Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga, first comes the firm resolve of the intellect, and then follows the realization of one's true nature. Therefore, in Jnana Yoga, knowledge is primary, and in Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga, firm resolve is primary. '...endless and many-branched are the intellects of the irresolute.' Those who are irresolute are those within whom there is desire-prompted motive, who are attached to enjoyment and accumulation. Due to desire, the intellects of such men are endless, and those intellects also have endless branches, meaning each single intellect also has endless branches. For example, to obtain a son—this is one intellect; and for obtaining a son, to take some medicine, chant some mantra, perform some ritual, seek the blessing of some saint, etc.—these are the endless branches of that one intellect. Similarly, to obtain wealth—this is one intellect; and for obtaining wealth, to do business, take up service, commit theft, rob, deceive, swindle, etc.—these are the endless branches of that one intellect. In the intellect of such men, there is no firm resolve for attaining the Supreme Self.
Connection: The reason why the intellects of irresolute men are endless is explained in the next three verses.
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