नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते ।
स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ॥
स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ॥
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 ॥
English
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.
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.
The takeaway
You can begin imperfectly without dread. Small practice still counts and still changes you.
Word-by-word translation
न इह (not here/in this world) / अभिक्रम-नाशः (loss of beginning effort) / अस्ति (there is) / प्रत्यवायः (reverse result or harmful consequence) / न (not) / विद्यते (is found) / स्वल्पम् (a little) / अपि (even) / अस्य (of this) / धर्मस्य (of dharma) / त्रायते (protects) / महतः (from great) / भयात् (fear)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga — The Yoga of Knowledge, which contains 72 verses.
Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses), dharma (14 verses)