Bhagavad Gita 2.40 — On the Path of Karma Yoga No Effort Is Lost and Even a Little Protects from Great Fear
नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते।
स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात्॥ २.४०॥
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On this path there is no loss of effort and no adverse result. Even a little of this discipline protects one from great fear.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not |
| iha | in this (path) |
| abhikramanāśhaḥ | loss of effort, waste of initial endeavor |
| asti | there is |
| pratyavāyaḥ | adverse result, harm, sin |
| na | not |
| vidyate | is found, exists |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| svalpam | a little, even a small amount |
| api | even |
| asya | of this |
| dharmasya | of this dharma, of this discipline |
| trāyate | protects, saves |
| mahataḥ | from great |
| bhayāt | fear |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not | svalpam | a little, even a small amount |
| iha | in this (path) | api | even |
| abhikramanāśhaḥ | loss of effort, waste of initial endeavor | asya | of this |
| asti | there is | dharmasya | of this dharma, of this discipline |
| pratyavāyaḥ | adverse result, harm, sin | trāyate | protects, saves |
| na | not | mahataḥ | from great |
| vidyate | is found, exists | bhayāt | fear |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here Lord Krishna gives a wonderful assurance about the path of Karma Yoga. Unlike many worldly efforts, nothing done on this path is wasted, and it carries no danger of harmful results. Even a little practice of this discipline protects a person from great fear. The verse offers encouragement to every sincere beginner.
Essence
An effort that is never lost
Lord Krishna says nehābhikrama-nāśo 'sti. On this path there is no loss of effort. In ordinary activities, effort can be wasted. A farmer's crop may fail, a business may collapse, and an exam may be failed. Years of work can sometimes yield nothing. Krishna says that the efforts made on the path of Yoga, the cultivation of an equanimous and selfless attitude, are never wasted.
Abhikrama (the initial effort or undertaking): The word refers to the first steps on the path. Even a start made sincerely carries value. If a person's life is cut short or they are unable to complete the journey, what has been gained is not erased. The Gita will return to this in a later chapter, assuring that a sincere seeker never comes to grief.
Pratyavāya (adverse result): In many spiritual and ritual practices, there is a fear of doing something incorrectly and incurring harm. Krishna says there is no such fear here. Practising selfless action with a balanced mind does not produce harmful results.
Even a little protects
Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt: Even a small portion of this dharma saves one from great fear. The word trāyate means protects or rescues. The 'great fear' is traditionally understood as the fear connected with the cycle of birth and death, as well as the deep anxieties that arise when a person is driven by desire and attachment. A small amount of equanimity can already change how we meet life.
This is a gentle and reassuring teaching. Many people hesitate to begin spiritual practice because they feel they cannot do it perfectly. Krishna tells Arjuna that perfection is not required for the practice to be effective.
Message for Everyday Life (Beginning Is Enough)
We often postpone sincere practice, such as quiet reflection, honesty, or service, because we cannot do it fully or consistently.
Start small and start now: A few minutes of attentive silence or a single act of selfless service begins a change that will grow.
Do not fear mistakes: Sincere effort that is imperfect is better than waiting for perfection.
An effort that is never lost
Lord Krishna says nehābhikrama-nāśo 'sti. On this path there is no loss of effort. In ordinary activities, effort can be wasted. A farmer's crop may fail, a business may collapse, and an exam may be failed. Years of work can sometimes yield nothing. Krishna says that the efforts made on the path of Yoga, the cultivation of an equanimous and selfless attitude, are never wasted.
Abhikrama (the initial effort or undertaking): The word refers to the first steps on the path. Even a start made sincerely carries value. If a person's life is cut short or they are unable to complete the journey, what has been gained is not erased. The Gita will return to this in a later chapter, assuring that a sincere seeker never comes to grief.
Pratyavāya (adverse result): In many spiritual and ritual practices, there is a fear of doing something incorrectly and incurring harm. Krishna says there is no such fear here. Practising selfless action with a balanced mind does not produce harmful results.
Even a little protects
Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt: Even a small portion of this dharma saves one from great fear. The word trāyate means protects or rescues. The 'great fear' is traditionally understood as the fear connected with the cycle of birth and death, as well as the deep anxieties that arise when a person is driven by desire and attachment. A small amount of equanimity can already change how we meet life.
This is a gentle and reassuring teaching. Many people hesitate to begin spiritual practice because they feel they cannot do it perfectly. Krishna tells Arjuna that perfection is not required for the practice to be effective.
Message for Everyday Life (Beginning Is Enough)
We often postpone sincere practice, such as quiet reflection, honesty, or service, because we cannot do it fully or consistently.
Start small and start now: A few minutes of attentive silence or a single act of selfless service begins a change that will grow.
Do not fear mistakes: Sincere effort that is imperfect is better than waiting for perfection.
Next Topic
Krishna has assured Arjuna that no sincere effort on this path is ever lost. He now describes the quality of mind that makes such progress possible. In the next verse He contrasts the single, resolute intellect of the committed seeker with the endlessly branching thoughts of those who are irresolute.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
No sincere step is wasted.
Even a little counts; start anyway.
A good path has no dead ends.
A little practice calms a lot of fear.
Small efforts, steadily made, move mountains.
Beginners are as welcome as masters.
What you plant is never lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'abhikramanāśha' (loss of initial effort) mean?
What does 'pratyavāya' (adverse result) mean?
What does 'svalpam api dharmasya' (even a little of this dharma) imply?
What is the 'mahad bhaya' (great fear) mentioned?
How does this verse encourage seekers?
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