2nd ch – 4th sec 38 to 53 ->

Now Krishna will answer Arjuna’s fear of sinful reaction argument: He will address by telling how by working with Nishkam Karma Yoga you can stay free from all sinful reactions.

So Krishna when He starts describing Buddhi Yoga He first starts glorifying it, what is the specialty of this particular way of working, whatever one attains that attainment will be eternal.

BG 2.40

nehabhikrama-naso ‘sti

pratyavayo na vidyate

sv–alpam apy asya dharmasya

trayate mahato bhayat

SYNONYMS

na — there is not; iha — in this yoga; abhikrama — in endeavoring; nasah — loss; asti — there is; pratyavayah — diminution; na — never; vidyate — there is; su–alpam — a little; api — although; asya — of this; dharmasya — occupation; trayate — releases; mahatah — from very great; bhayat — danger.

TRANSLATION

In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.

There is no destruction in this endeavor; in the pursuit of this path, there will be no annihilation. Furthermore, there is no diminution or decrease; things will not diminish. Even if one does a little dharma (righteous action), there is no destruction or diminution. One will be freed from the greatest fear. So, what does this actually refer to? Lord Krishna has not stated here that the attainment of heaven is temporary; He will mention that later in 9.21, ‘Kṣīṇe puṇye martya-lokam viśanti,’ where He explicitly contrasts it with 9.22, ‘Anyas cintayanto mām.’ For those devotees who constantly think of Him, He says, ‘Yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmyaham’—’I preserve what they have and provide what they lack.’

In this verse, since Krishna has not specifically mentioned Himself, it is not explicitly devotional. Here, Krishna is speaking in general terms for those on the transcendental path. Whatever they strive for will not be lost, and whatever they achieve will not only remain with them forever, but He will also protect them from the greatest danger. For example, Ajamila chanted the name of Narayana just once, and he was saved from great danger.

Whatever one attains on the spiritual path is not lost and will save them from greater danger. When we practice spiritual life, we aim for that which is eternal. Everything else that we gain is temporary and eventually lost. However, when we practice Krishna Consciousness, any attraction we have for Krishna will remain with us for lifetime after lifetime. That is how we understand that Krishna Consciousness and its gains are eternal. Krishna is discussing the benefits of aiming for spiritual goals, which have a greater and longer-lasting effect than material pursuits. Therefore, ‘nehabhikrama-nāśo ‘sti’ means that whatever one attains on the spiritual path is never lost; it stays with them forever. Srila Prabhupada has quoted the same from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam in the purport. This theme will be further explored in the 6th chapter, where even if a person falls in their practice of Krishna Consciousness, it will not be a permanent fall.