4 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on effort. Explore teachings across 3 chapters.
Nehabhikrama-nasho 'sti pratyavayo na vidyate, svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat
In this path, no effort is wasted and no loss is suffered. Even a little progress on this path protects one from the most fearful danger.
Asanyathatmana yogo dusprapa iti me matih, vashyatmana tu yatata shakyo 'vaptum upayatah
Yoga is difficult to attain for one of uncontrolled self — this is my view; but for the self-controlled person who strives with the right means, it is attainable. Krishna affirms both the difficulty of yoga for the undisciplined and the assured attainability for those who bring the right effort.
adhisthanam tatha karta karanam ca prithag-vidham vividhas ca prithak cesta daivam caivatra pancamam
The five causes are: the body as the seat of action, the individual doer, the various instruments of sense and action, the different kinds of effort, and divine providence as the fifth factor. All actions arise from the interplay of these five.
Yat tad agre visham iva pariname 'mritopamam, tat sukham sattvikam proktam atma-buddhi-prasada-jam
That happiness which seems like poison at first but is like nectar in the end, arising from the purity of one's own mind, is declared to be of the nature of goodness.