In this human world, no effort toward this steady wisdom is ever lost. No harmful result comes from it. Even a little practice of this dharma protects one from great fear.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 2.40
Hindi · हिन्दी
मनुष्यलोकमें इस समबुद्धिरूप धर्मके आरम्भका नाश नहीं होता, इसके अनुष्ठानका उलटा फल भी नहीं होता और इसका थोड़ासा भी अनुष्ठान जन्ममरणरूप महान् भयसे रक्षा कर लेता है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
न इहnot here/in this worldअभिक्रम-नाशःloss of beginning effortअस्तिthere isप्रत्यवायःreverse result or harmful consequenceनnotविद्यतेis foundस्वल्पम्a littleअपिevenअस्यof thisधर्मस्यof dharmaत्रायतेprotectsमहतःfrom greatभयात्fear
Read literallynot here/in this world · loss of beginning effort · there is · reverse result or harmful consequence · not · is found · a little · even · of this · of dharma · protects · from great · fear
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the mind from all-or-nothing thinking to trusting small, sincere practice.
Even a small beginning in this discipline is never wasted, never backfires, and can protect you from deep fear.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna is still answering Arjuna on the battlefield as the war waits. After teaching steady action, he reassures him that even a small step in this path is never wasted, never harmful, and can free a person from the fear that keeps them stuck.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You finally open the meditation app after weeks of avoidance, sit for three minutes, and wonder whether it matters. It matters more than you think.
The takeaway
“You can begin imperfectly without dread. Small practice still counts and still changes you.”
It shifts the mind from all-or-nothing thinking to trusting small, sincere practice.
What this verse means
Even a small beginning in this discipline is never wasted, never backfires, and can protect you from deep fear.
Context & commentary
Krishna is still answering Arjuna on the battlefield as the war waits. After teaching steady action, he reassures him that even a small step in this path is never wasted, never harmful, and can free a person from the fear that keeps them stuck.
Why this verse still matters
You finally open the meditation app after weeks of avoidance, sit for three minutes, and wonder whether it matters. It matters more than you think.
“You can begin imperfectly without dread. Small practice still counts and still changes you.”
Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses), dharma (14 verses)