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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 40 (2.40)

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 40 (2.40)

नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते । स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् | | २-४० | |

nehābhikramanāśho’sti pratyavāyo na vidyate svalpamapyasya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • neh joined in nehābhikramanāśho’sti
  • अइरम-नश (abhikrama-nashah) — अइरम-नश(no beginning effort is lost here)
  • अस्ति (asti) — है(no beginning effort is lost here)
  • रयवय (pratyavayah) — रयवय(no contrary harm occurs)
  • (na) — नहीं(no contrary harm occurs)
  • विद्यते (vidyate) — होता है(no contrary harm occurs)
Line 2:
  • वप (svalpam) — वप(even a little)
  • अपि (api) — भी(even a little)
  • अस्य (asya) — इस(of this dharma or practice)
  • धर्मस्य (dharmasya) — धर्म के(of this dharma or practice)
  • रयए (trayate) — रयए(protects)
  • महत (mahatah) — भय(from great fear)
  • भय (bhayat) — भय(from great fear)

English: No effort on this path is wasted and no harm comes from it; even a little practice protects from great fear.

💡 Commentary Note

Every small step taken on the path of Karma Yoga yields permanent spiritual benefits. Unlike worldly achievements, spiritual progress is never lost and protects us from existential fear.

Learnings from Shloka 40:
  • Permanent progress:: No positive spiritual effort is ever wasted; it builds a permanent foundation of inner strength.
  • Protection from fear:: Even a small amount of practice in self-control and duty reduces anxiety and fear in life.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 2.40 with their Hindi and English meanings.

Practice vocabulary