Chapter 2, Verse 40
nehābhikrama-nāśo’sti
pratyavāyo na vidyate
svalpam apyasya dharmasya
trāyate mahato bhayāt
On this path, no effort is lost, no obstacle prevails; even a little of this
practice delivers one from great fear.
“On this path, no effort is lost.” This is Karma Yoga. Krishna says that regarding whatever you do in this world – when you sow a seed in the land, there will be the result of the seed. Even if you fail to protect the seed, it will grow. So on this path of Karma Yoga, there is no loss of any effort. Nothing is lost.
“... no obstacle prevails; even a little of this practice delivers one from great fear.” Here Bhagavan Sri Krishna says that if you do a little effort, if you have first shown interest, even just a little interest, and done a little practice – you have shown the willingness to advance. This will help bring liberation, salvation to your soul. “No obstacle prevails.” There are no rules that will stop you. There are no rules for specific times, because salvation is beyond time. Krishna says, “a little of this practice” brings a big help.
The effort that you do in life has a great impact on your life. It delivers one from great fear, from not attaining one’s goal. Even if you are doing your duty, without even knowing why you are doing it, it will help in contributing to your advancement towards God Consciousness. It is said that when you start to do a little practice, there will be no problems. Because even if a test comes, you will not perceive it as a problem. You will embrace it and you will go through it. Like infinite waves in the ocean, countless waves of life and death; appear and disappear, you will move without fear; you will prevail. This is the knowledge that I want to give you.
Bhagavad Gita