In the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, having introduced the concept of Buddhi Yoga, Lord Krishna now gives a powerful encouragement to take up this path. He explains the unique and wonderful nature of spiritual action, contrasting it with the risky and often fruitless nature of worldly endeavors. The Nehabhikrama-naso ’sti verse is a divine guarantee of safety and success for anyone who takes even a single step on the path of selfless service.
Sanskrit Verse
नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते ।
स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ॥ ४० ॥
Transliteration
nehābhikrama-nāśo ’sti pratyavāyo na vidyate
svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt
Word for Word Translation
na iha — not in this (yoga); abhikrama-nāśaḥ — loss of a beginning; asti — there is; pratyavāyaḥ — adverse result; na vidyate — there is not; svalpam api — even a little; asya dharmasya — of this dharma; trāyate — protects; mahataḥ bhayāt — from great fear.

English Translation
In this endeavor (of Buddhi Yoga) there is no loss or diminution, and even a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
This verse describes the supreme benefits of acting on the spiritual platform. Krishna makes three distinct promises about this path.
- Nehābhikrama-nāśo ’sti: “There is no loss of a beginning.” In worldly activities, if you start building a house but don’t finish it, your effort (`abhikrama`) is essentially lost (`nāśaḥ`). However, in the yoga of selfless action, any step taken, any effort made, is a permanent spiritual credit. It is never lost, even if one does not complete the path in this lifetime.
- Pratyavāyo na vidyate: “There is no adverse result.” `Pratyavāya` means a diminution or a negative or opposite reaction. In worldly work, mistakes can lead to disaster. But on the path of Karma Yoga, even an imperfectly performed action, if done with a sincere desire to serve, does not produce a negative karmic result. The intention purifies the action.
- Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt: “Even a little of this dharma protects from great fear.” This is the most profound promise. `Mahato bhayāt` refers to the greatest of all fears: the fear of being reborn in a lower species, of losing one’s human opportunity, of being trapped in the terrifying cycle of samsara. Krishna guarantees that even a small, sincere step (`svalpam api`) on this path provides immense spiritual protection from this ultimate danger.
Conclusion
This verse is one of the most encouraging in the entire Bhagavad Gita. Krishna is making the spiritual path completely safe and accessible. Unlike worldly endeavors which are fraught with the risk of failure and loss, the path of Buddhi Yoga is a no-lose proposition. Every effort is a permanent gain, there are no negative side effects, and even the smallest beginning provides the greatest possible protection. It is a divine assurance designed to remove all hesitation and inspire Arjuna to take his first step with faith and confidence.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 – Verse 41 – Vyavasayatmika buddhir