UdyamGita

The true vision of a business gets refined over a period of time. Initially, an entrepreneur may have to focus on the usual terms and conditions of running a business. Over time, once he becomes comfortable operating the business from a materialistic approach, he starts thinking about the real crux of running a business. This state is not easy to achieve and is possible only after mastering the art of running a business.

In business, there are always two paths in front of the entrepreneur. One path tempts him to follow the usual materialistic approach, chasing only profit, numbers, and trends around profit, irrespective of the impact he is creating on the lives of people and the ecosystem. The other path keeps questioning whether what he is doing is right for people and the ecosystem, whether they are truly benefiting from his business, and whether his business is empowering and uplifting them and making the world a better place. If the entrepreneur keeps asking these questions at every step during execution and implementation of processes, tasks, and ideas, he will align his business according to the answers he seeks.

If the business is aimed at making the world a better place without exploiting anyone or anything, the entrepreneur does not get caught in the vicious circle of the number game. If he focuses only on profit without caring about other parameters, he will have to pay the bigger price of running the rat race throughout his life. His problems remain the same, while the magnitude of those problems keeps increasing as the business grows. On the other hand, with the second approach, the entrepreneur moves to a higher state of contentment and satisfaction and enjoys the process of expanding the business beyond horizons, without stress or the race of comparison and external validation. The choice lies with the entrepreneur.

Krishna reveals a subtle but powerful truth: although the Supreme pervades everything, He is accessible only through undivided devotion. Then He speaks of two eternal paths—one that leads forward to liberation, and another that loops back into repetition.

These paths are not accidents of time or chance. They represent states of consciousness. The wise are not confused by them, because awareness removes illusion. Krishna’s conclusion is clear: remain yoga-yukta—steadily aligned—at all times.

Business Insight

A similar refinement happens in entrepreneurship.

In the beginning, survival dominates: cash flow, margins, operations, compliance. This phase is necessary. But once the entrepreneur masters the mechanics of business, a deeper question emerges:

What is the real essence of why I am doing this?

At this stage, two paths stand clearly in front of every entrepreneur:

1. The Material Path: Chasing profits, trends, valuations, and numbers—often disconnected from the impact on people and the ecosystem.
2. The Conscious Path: Constantly questioning:

• Is this empowering people?
• Is it fair, ethical, and sustainable?
• Is it making the world even slightly better?

The business slowly reshapes itself based on which question the entrepreneur chooses to ask—every single day.

Leadership Lesson

Krishna’s teaching here is about choice with awareness.

The profit-only path never truly ends. The numbers grow, but so do:

• Pressure
• Comparison
• Validation-seeking
• The scale of problems

The game remains the same—only the stakes increase.

The impact-driven path, however, leads to a different inner state:

• Containment instead of anxiety
• Satisfaction instead of endless craving
• Expansion without exploitation

Such leaders are no longer trapped in the vicious cycle of proving themselves. They enjoy the process of building—free from constant comparison and external validation.

Krishna reminds Arjuna that one who understands these paths is not deluded. The choice becomes conscious, deliberate, and empowering.

Key Takeaways

• Every entrepreneur eventually stands at a moral crossroads
• Profit-only focus leads to endless repetition and pressure
• Impact-led focus brings inner freedom and clarity
• Questions asked daily shape the destiny of the business
• Awareness turns leadership into a conscious choice