नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते ।
स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ॥ ४० ॥
nehābhikrama-nāśho ’sti pratyavāyo na vidyate
svalpam apyasya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt
इस पद्धति में, मनुष्य का कोई भी प्रयास कभी व्यर्थ नहीं जाता, और कोई परिणाम प्रतिकूल नहीं होता। इस मार्ग पर थोड़े से अभ्यास से ही मनुष्य महान भय और अनिश्चितता से मुक्त हो जाता है।
In this practice, no effort is ever wasted and there is no adverse outcome. Even a small amount of practice on this path can alleviate one from great fear and uncertainty.
Bhagavad Gita verse 2.40 reveals one of the most encouraging aspects of spiritual practice, offering profound reassurance to those who embark on the path of buddhi yoga or karma yoga. In this verse, Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna's potential concerns about beginning a spiritual journey amid his current circumstances on the battlefield.
The Sanskrit verse "nehābhikrama-nāśo 'sti pratyavāyo na vidyate, svalpam apyasya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt" conveys a powerful promise: on this spiritual path, no effort is ever wasted, and there are no adverse effects even if practice is imperfect. This stands in stark contrast to ritualistic Vedic practices where incorrect performance might lead to unintended consequences. Instead, Krishna assures that even incomplete or imperfect practice of buddhi yoga yields permanent benefit.
The verse contains two distinct guarantees that make this spiritual path unique. First is the "no-loss guarantee" - unlike material endeavors where efforts can be completely wasted, spiritual progress is never lost. Every step taken on this path becomes a permanent part of one's spiritual account, accumulating like compound interest across lifetimes. The second is the "fear-relieving guarantee" - even a small amount of this practice protects one from the greatest fears, particularly the fear of wasting the rare human opportunity for spiritual evolution.
This teaching addresses the fundamental human concern about permanence and meaning. In the material paradigm, all achievements eventually perish with the body. In contrast, the spiritual paradigm offers something truly eternal - progress that transcends death itself. Even if one cannot complete the spiritual journey in this lifetime, the advancement made becomes a permanent asset, allowing one to resume from the same point in the next life.
For Arjuna, this verse provides immediate practical value. Standing at a crossroads, uncertain about his capacity to perfectly execute his duty with detachment, Krishna assures him that even imperfect practice brings lasting benefit. This removes the paralysis that comes from fear of failure and encourages immediate action rather than endless deliberation.
The "great fear" mentioned in the verse has profound significance. While it can be interpreted in various ways, it fundamentally refers to the existential fear of losing our spiritual identity and opportunity. Human life offers a rare chance for conscious spiritual evolution, and this verse assures that even minimal spiritual practice safeguards this precious opportunity, preventing regression to lower states of consciousness where spiritual progress becomes nearly impossible.
Ultimately, verse 2.40 invites us to shift from a short-term, results-obsessed mindset to a long-term vision of spiritual growth. It encourages us to begin the journey without fear of imperfection or incompletion, knowing that every step taken in spiritual consciousness creates permanent value. The verse stands as a profound invitation to spiritual practice, removing the barriers of fear and doubt that so often prevent us from beginning the most important journey of all.
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