B.G 2.40

नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते। स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात्॥२-४०॥

nēhābhikramanāśō'sti pratyavāyō na vidyatē। svalpamapyasya dharmasya trāyatē mahatō bhayāt॥2-40॥

[ न इह अभिक्रम नाशः अस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते। स्वल्पम् अपि अस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात्॥
na = not; iha = in this; abhikrama = endeavour, path taken; nāśaḥ = destruction; asti = happens; pratyavāyō = diminution na = not; vidyatē = of understanding; svalpam api = even in limited measure; asya dharmasya = this dharma; trāyatē = protects; mahatō = from great; bhayāt = fear;]

In this endeavour, there is neither destruction nor distortion of knowledge. The performance of this dharma even in limited measure protects from the great fear.

Gīta Tātparya 2.40

Dharma indicated is "Vishnu-dharma" or "Bhāgavata-dharma" as per Pancharātra doctrine, which is to be conscious of lord Vishnu's supremacy always and to have His constant remembrance.

"परारम्भमात्रमिच्छा वा विष्णुधर्मे न निष्फला। न चान्यधर्माकरणात् दोषवान् विष्णुधर्मकृत्॥"

"parārambhamātramicchā vā viṣṇudharmē na niṣphalā। na cānyadharmākaraṇāt dōṣavān viṣṇudharmakr̥t॥"

[parārambhamātramicchā = even the wish to start; vā viṣṇudharmē = the duty towards lord Vishnu; na niṣphalā = does not go waste; na = not; cānyadharmākaraṇāt = by not doing other duties; dōṣavān = defect; viṣṇudharmakr̥t = as he does his duty towards lord Vishnu;]

"Even the mere wish to serve Lord Vishnu (Vishnu-dharma) will not be wasted. Not participating in other activities does not lead to faults, if one fulfills their responsibilities towards Lord Vishnu."

-इत्याग्नेये।

-ityāgnēyē।

[ityāgnēyē = states Agni Purāna;]

- states Agni Purāna

"स्वोचितेनैव धर्मेण विष्णुपूजामृते क्वचित्। नाप्रवृत्तिः प्रवृत्तिर्वा यत्र धर्मः स वैष्णवः॥

"svōcitēnaiva dharmēṇa viṣṇupūjāmr̥tē kvacit। nāpravr̥ttiḥ pravr̥ttirvā yatra dharmaḥ sa vaiṣṇavaḥ॥

[svōcitēnaiva = swa-dharma; dharmēṇa = duties; viṣṇupūjāmr̥tē kvacit = to be performed as worship of lord Vishnu;। nāpravr̥ttiḥ = not ill intentioned; pravr̥ttirvā = or intentioned; yatra dharmaḥ sa = that dharma is; vaiṣṇavaḥ = Vaishnava;]

The 'swa-dharma', one's own duties, performed only to please lord Vishnu with no worldly intentions, good or bad, is "Vishnu-dharma".

एनं धर्मं तु देवाद्याः वर्तन्ते सात्त्विका जनाः। एष कार्तयुगो धर्मः पाञ्चरात्रश्च वैदिकः। तत्प्रीत्यर्थं विनान्यस्मै नोन्दबिन्दुं न तुण्डुलम्॥

ēnaṁ dharmaṁ tu dēvādyāḥ vartantē sāttvikā janāḥ। ēṣa kārtayugō dharmaḥ pāñcarātraśca vaidikaḥ। tatprītyarthaṁ vinānyasmai nōndabinduṁ na tuṇḍulam॥

[ēnaṁ dharmaṁ tu = this dharma only; dēvādyāḥ vartantē = the gods behave; sāttvikā janāḥ = also the people with Sātwik tendencies; ēṣa kārtayugō dharmaḥ = these duties are from kruta yuga; pāñcarātraśca = as per Pancharatra; vaidikaḥ = and Vedic; tatprītyarthaṁ = to please Him; vinānyasmai = not having the intention, give; nōndabinduṁ = not a drop of water; na tuṇḍulam = not a single grain of rice;]

The gods and people with Sātwik tendencies behave as per this dharma only. These duties originated in 'Kruta' age and is as per Pancharatra and Vedic doctrine. Without the intention to please Him, one should not part with even a drop of water or grain of rice.

दद्याद् निराशीश्च सदा भवेत् भक्तश्च केशवे। नैतत्समेSधिके वापि कुर्यात् शङ्कामपि क्वचित्॥

dadyād nirāśīśca sadā bhavēt bhaktaśca kēśavē। naitatsamēSdhikē vāpi kuryāt śaṅkāmapi kvacit॥

[dadyād =one should give; nirāśīśca = without desire; sadā = always; bhavēt = become; bhaktaśca = devotee; kēśavē = of lord Kēshava; naitatsamēSdhikē = none exists who is equal or superior to Him; vāpi kuryāt = even does; śaṅkāmapi = even doubt; kvacit = never; ]

Becoming devotees of lord Kēshava, one should always give without expectation. One should never even doubt the possibility of a principle which is equal or superior to Him.

जानीयात् तदधीनं च सर्वं तत्तत्त्ववित्सदा। यथाक्रमं तु देवानां तारतम्यविदेव च॥

jānīyāt tadadhīnaṁ ca sarvaṁ tattattvavitsadā। yathākramaṁ tu dēvānāṁ tāratamyavidēva ca॥

[jānīyāt = he understands; tadadhīnaṁ = under His control; ca = and; sarvaṁ = all; tattattvavitsadā = principles, always; yathākramaṁ tu = the order; dēvānāṁ = among the godly principles;tāratamyavidēva = in a hierarchal manner; ca = as well;]

The Devotee understands all principles are always under His control, including the hierarchy of gods and the principles governed by them.

एष भागवतो मुख्यः त्रेतादिषु विशेषतः। एष धर्मोSतिफलदो विशेषेण पुनः कलौ। एवं भागवतो यस्तु स एव हि विमुच्यते॥

ēṣa bhāgavatō mukhyaḥ trētādiṣu viśēṣataḥ। ēṣa dharmōStiphaladō viśēṣēṇa punaḥ kalau। ēvaṁ bhāgavatō yastu sa ēva hi vimucyatē॥

[ēṣa = these; bhāgavatō = of bhagavta dharma; mukhyaḥ = primary principles; trētādiṣu viśēṣataḥ = and especially meant for Treta age.। ēṣa dharmōStiphaladō = these duties give results; viśēṣēṇa = special; punaḥ = many-fold; kalau = when followed in Kali age;। ēvaṁ bhāgavatō = the same Bhagavata dharma; yastu sa ēva hi = by following which; vimucyatē = one gets liberated; ]

These are the primary principles of Bhagavta dharma, and are specially meant for the 'Treta' age. These duties give special and many-fold results when followed in 'Kali' age. Practicing the same Bhagavata-dharma finally leads to liberation.

त्रैविद्यस्त्वपरो धर्मो नानादैवतपूजनम्। तत्रापि विष्णुः ज्ञातव्यः सर्वेभ्योSभ्यधिको गुणैः॥

traividyastvaparō dharmō nānādaivatapūjanam। tatrāpi viṣṇuḥ jñātavyaḥ sarvēbhyōSbhyadhikō guṇaiḥ॥]

[traividyastvaparō = pertaining to three Vedas is different; dharmō = duties are performed; nānādaivatapūjanam = by worshipping various gods; tatrāpi = even there; viṣṇuḥ = lord Vishnu; jñātavyaḥ = understand; sarvēbhyōSbhyadhikō = is superior to all; guṇaiḥ = in terms of auspicious qualities;]

Sacrificial rituals performed pertaining to three Vedas by worshipping various gods differ from Bhagavata dharma. Even while performing these rituals have the firm understanding that lord Vishnu is superior to all in terms of auspicious qualities.

समर्पयति यज्ञाद्यमन्ततस्त्वेव विष्णवे। त्रैविद्यधर्मा पुरुषः स्वर्गं भुक्त्वा निवर्तते॥

samarpayati yajñādyamantatastvēva viṣṇavē। traividyadharmā puruṣaḥ svargaṁ bhuktvā nivartatē॥

[samarpayati = such a person offers everything; yajñādyamantatastvēva = at the end of sacrifice; viṣṇavē = to lord Vishnu only (by stating Krishnarpanamastu); traividyadharmā = the duties ordained as per tree Vedic rituals; puruṣaḥ = person who performs; svargaṁ bhuktvā = after enjoying the heaven; nivartatē = returns;]

At the end of sacrifice, such a person offers results of sacrifice to lord Vishnu only (by stating Krishnarpanamastu). The person who performs sacrificial duties ordained as per three Vedas after enjoying the heaven comes back.

पुनः कुर्यात् पुनः स्वर्गं याति यावद्धरेर्वशे। सर्वान् देवान् प्रविज्ञाय तत्कर्मैव सदा भवेत्॥

punaḥ kuryāt punaḥ svargaṁ yāti yāvaddharērvaśē। sarvān dēvān pravijñāya tatkarmaiva sadā bhavēt॥

[punaḥ kuryāt = he performs again sacrificial duties; punaḥ svargaṁ = again obtains heaven; yāti yāvaddharērvaśē = till he realizes, is under the control of lord Hari; sarvān dēvān = all gods; pravijñāya = knowing; tatkarmaiva = those actions; sadā bhavēt = always to be performed;]

Such a person keeps performing duties and returning from heaven till he performs those actions knowing well all gods are under the control of lord Hari.

सम्यक्तत्वापरिज्ञानादन्यकर्मकृतेरपि। स्वर्गादिप्रार्थनाच्चैव रागादेश्चापरिक्षयात्॥

samyaktatvāparijñānādanyakarmakr̥tērapi। svargādiprārthanāccaiva rāgādēścāparikṣayāt॥

[samyaktatvāparijñānādanyakarmakr̥tērapi = as he does not have the correct knowledge, though he performs various actions; svargādiprārthanāccaiva = as it is invested with desire for heaven; rāgādēścāparikṣayāt = it is not devoid of passion and averace;]

They do not have the correct knowledge though they perform various actions as their actions are invested with desire for heaven and are not devoid of passion and avarice.

सदा विष्णोरस्मरणात् त्रैविद्यो नाप्नुयात्परम्। क्रमेण मुच्यते विष्णौ कर्माण्यन्ते समर्पयन्। यदि सर्वाणि नियमात् जन्मभिः बहुभिः शुभैः॥

sadā viṣṇōrasmaraṇāt traividyō nāpnuyātparam। kramēṇa mucyatē viṣṇau karmāṇyantē samarpayan। yadi sarvāṇi niyamāt janmabhiḥ bahubhiḥ śubhaiḥ॥

[sadā = always; viṣṇōrasmaraṇāt = remember lord Vishnu; traividyō = the followers of Vedic sacrifices of the three Vedas; nāpnuyātparam = not, does not obtain liberation; kramēṇa = gradually; mucyatē = obtains; viṣṇau = lord Vishnu; karmāṇyantē = at the end of the sacrifice; samarpayan = he offers। yadi = if; sarvāṇi = all; niyamāt = regulations; janmabhiḥ = births; bahubhiḥ = multiple in number; śubhaiḥ = well being;]

The followers of Vedic sacrifices of the three Vedas do not get liberation fast, as they do not always remember lord Vishnu. They gradually obtain well being after multiple births if they follow all the regulations properly and offer sacrificial results at the end of the sacrifice to lord Vishnu.

परं विष्णुं न यो वेत्ति कुर्वाणोपि त्रयीक्रियाः। नासौ त्रैविद्य इत्युक्तो वेदवादी स उच्यते॥

paraṁ viṣṇuṁ na yō vētti kurvāṇōpi trayīkriyāḥ। nāsau traividya ityuktō vēdavādī sa ucyatē॥

[paraṁ viṣṇuṁ = supreme lord Vishnu; na yō vētti = one who knows not; kurvāṇōpi = even if he performs; trayīkriyāḥ = rituals as per three Vedas;। nāsau traividya = know not the knowledge of three Vedas; ityuktō = so they say; vēdavādī = those who are pro vedic doctrine; sa = thus; ucyatē = it is said;]

Even though one performs the rituals as per three Vedas, he does not understand three Vedas if he does not know the supremacy of lord Vishnu. So say those who understand the Vedic doctrines.

वादो विवादः सम्प्रोक्तो वादो वचनमेव च। वेदोक्ते विष्णुमाहात्म्ये विवादात् पठनादपि॥ अथवा निरर्थकात् पाठात् वेदवादी स उच्यते। वेदवादरतो न स्यात् न पाषण्डी न हैतुकी॥

vādō vivādaḥ samprōktō vādō vacanamēva ca। vēdōktē viṣṇumāhātmyē vivādāt paṭhanādapi॥ athavā nirarthakāt pāṭhāt vēdavādī sa ucyatē। vēdavādaratō na syāt na pāṣaṇḍī na haitukī॥

[vādō = debate, pro-argument; vivādaḥ = dispute, cons-argument; samprōktō = is said to be; vādō = argument; vacanamēva = with words; ca = and; vēdōktē = conveyed by Vedas; viṣṇumāhātmyē = the significance of lord Vishnu; vivādāt = from the disputed arguments; paṭhanādapi = even if one resites; athavā = or; nirarthakāt = without understanding; pāṭhāt = recite; vēdavādī sa ucyatē = are called "Vedavadis"; vēdavādaratō = those who keep debating on Vedas; na syāt = should not become; na pāṣaṇḍī = not who advocates false doctrines; na haitukī = not a nihilist;]

The word debate indicates pro and con views. Those who recite Vedas are called "Vēdavadin" if they debate about the supremacy of lord Vishnu, or recite Vedas without understanding their true meaning. One should not become a Vēdavadin, or those who propagate false doctrines, or a nihilist.

तेभ्यो याति तमो घोरमन्धं यस्मान्न चोत्थितिः। अनारम्भमनन्तं च नित्यदुःखं सुखोज्झितम्। वव्रं यद्वेदगदितं यत्र यान्त्यसुरादयः॥"

tēbhyō yāti tamō ghōramandhaṁ yasmānna cōtthitiḥ। anārambhamanantaṁ ca nityaduḥkhaṁ sukhōjjhitam। vavraṁ yadvēdagaditaṁ yatra yāntyasurādayaḥ॥"

[tēbhyō = from it; yāti =they obtain; tamō ghōramandhaṁ = terrible dark ignorance; yasmānna = from which; cōtthitiḥ = it is difficult to overcome; anārambhamanantaṁ = without beginning and infinite; ca = and; nityaduḥkhaṁ = eternal misery; sukhōjjhitam = devoid of pleasure; vavraṁ = hell it is; yadvēdagaditaṁ = as indicated by Vedas; yatra = where; yāntyasurādayaḥ = deamons and others go;]

From it they obtain terrible dark ignorance from which there is no return. It is without beginning or end, full of misery, and devoid of glee. This hell is called 'Vavra' in Vēdas, where the demons go.

-इति ब्रह्मवैवर्ते ॥४० ॥

-iti brahmavaivartē ॥40 ॥

[iti = thus states; brahmavaivartē = Brahma Vaivarta Purana]

-thus states Brahma Vaivarta Purāna