Bhagavad Gita 2.40 · Krishna
No effort is ever lost
नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते।
स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात्॥
nehābhikramanāśo’asti pratyavāyo na vidyatesvalpamapyasya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt
On this path no effort is lost and no harm results. Even a little of this dharma protects from great fear.
Words
- dharma
What it means
Krishna offers one of the Gita's kindest promises. On this path, no effort goes to waste. You can't do it wrong in a way that harms you. Even a little of this dharma, this practice, he says, protects from great fear. You don't have to be perfect. Starting is enough.
The story
Arjuna is overwhelmed, frightened, sitting in his chariot. Krishna doesn't ask for heroic transformation. He says, begin, a little. It's a teaching for anyone who has ever felt too far gone to start.
In your life
Picture someone who meditates for two minutes before work, and one day notices they handled a crisis more calmly. Small practice adds up. Try two minutes of quiet today. It counts.
A little practice goes a long way.