Bhagavad Gita · Sankhya Yoga — The Yoga of Knowledge

Chapter 2, Verse 40

"Bhagavad Gita 2.40" — meaning and explanation.

Meaning

2.40 In this there is no loss of effort, nor is there any harm (production of contrary results or transgression). Even a little of this knowledge (even a little practice of this Yoga) protects one from great fear.

।।2.40।। इसमें क्रमनाश और प्रत्यवाय दोष नहीं है। इस धर्म (योग) का अल्प अभ्यास भी महान् भय से रक्षण करता है।।

Explanation

2.40 न not? इह in this? अभिक्रमनाशः loss of effort? अस्ति is? प्रत्यवायः production of contrary results? न not? विद्यते is? स्वल्पम् very little? अपि even? अस्य of this? धर्मस्य duty? त्रायते protects? महतः (from) great? भयात् fear.Commentary If a religious ceremony is left uncompleted? it is a wastage as the performer cannot realise the fruits. But it is not so in the case of Karma Yoga because every action causes immediate purification of the heart.In agriculture there is uncertainty. The farmer may till the land? plough and sow the seed but he may not get a crop if there is no rain. This is not so in Karma Yoga. There is no uncertainty at all. Further? there is no chance of any harm coming out of it. In the case of medical treatment great harm will result from the doctors injudicious treatment if he uses a wrong medicine. But it is not so in the case of Karma Yoga. Anything done? however little it may be? in this path of Yoga? the Yoga of action? saves one from great fear of being caught in the wheel of birth and death. Lord Krishna here extols Karma Yoga in order to create interest in Arjuna in this Yoga.

Life Lesson

Study Bhagavad Gita 2.40 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.

Context

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, verse 40, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.

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