nehābhikrama-nāśho ’sti pratyavāyo na vidyate
svalpam apyasya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt
na — not;
iha — in this;
abhikrama — efforts;
nāśhaḥ — loss;
asti — there is;
pratyavāyaḥ — adverse result;
na — not;
vidyate — is;
su-alpam — a little;
api — even;
asya — of this;
dharmasya — occupation;
trāyate — saves;
mahataḥ — from great;
bhayāt — danger
This verse tells us that when you make efforts towards being aware of Krishna and doing things for His sake, those efforts are never wasted. Even if you put in just a little effort in this direction, it can save you from big troubles and fears in life.
To explain further, think about your everyday work. When you start something—with a new job, a project, or a task—it often feels like there’s a lot of pressure to complete it perfectly because that’s how success is usually measured. If you can't finish it or if it doesn't go as planned, it can feel like a failure. This can lead to worries and disappointments. However, that's not the case when you focus on working for Krishna.
In this spiritual approach, even a tiny bit of effort counts and brings results. For example, let’s say you decide to help someone, and you do just a little act of kindness for them. That small action isn’t insignificant; it actually creates a positive impact that lasts. In Krsna consciousness, even if your action is unfinished or seems minor, it’s still meaningful and rewards you in ways you can't always see right now.
Moreover, this verse makes it clear that engaging in Krsna consciousness has lasting effects. Even if you’re not able to complete your spiritual goals in this life, what you have done will help you in your future lives. So, if you put in some effort now, you won't start from scratch next time; you’ll carry forward what you achieved. It's like planting a seed. Maybe it doesn’t bloom in one season, but it will grow into something beautiful eventually.
For instance, the verse references Ajamila, a person who engaged in Krsna consciousness even if he didn’t lead a completely pure life. Because of his efforts, he gained a lot of benefits later on due to Krishna's mercy. This shows that even imperfect attempts towards spirituality can yield great results.
The key takeaway is that by trying to live your life with Krishna in mind—being kind, serving others, and pursuing spiritual knowledge—you not only progress in your spiritual journey, but you also create a safety net for yourself against life’s fears and uncertainties. So much so that, even after this life, you are assured of a chance to be born in a better situation that helps you continue your spiritual journey more easily. This is something that regular worldly work does not provide.
In summary, focus on making small, sincere efforts towards understanding Krishna and helping others. These actions have lasting value, and none of it goes to waste, protecting you from fear and leading you towards a brighter future.