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Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

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Duty & actionChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.392.41

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.40

Working with resolute intelligence

नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते ।

स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ॥ ४० ॥

nehābhikrama-nāśo ’sti

pratyavāyo na vidyate

sv-alpam apy asya dharmasya

trāyate mahato bhayāt

Translation

In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Progress That Is Never Lost

  1. 1On this path, no effort is lost or reduced, and even a little progress protects one from the greatest fear.
  2. 2Kṛṣṇa consciousness means acting for Kṛṣṇa’s benefit without seeking pleasure for oneself. Even unfinished work brings lasting results.
  3. 3Material results end with the body, but progress in Kṛṣṇa consciousness carries into the next life, giving another chance to advance.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 2, Contents of the Gītā Summarized: working with resolute intelligence.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Act dutifully without attachment to fruits.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.40 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 2 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.39Working with resolute intelligenceBG 2.41Working with resolute intelligenceBG 3.21Leadership by example

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 2.40 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.