Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 16 · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 16.21 त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः

Sri Krishna Chapter 16, Verse 21 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 16.21

त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः ।
कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत् ॥

trividhaṃ narakasyedaṃ dvāraṃ nāśanamātmanaḥ |
kāmaḥ krodhastathā lobhastasmādetattrayaṃ tyajet ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

काम, क्रोध और लोभ, ये तीन नरक के द्वार हैं जो आत्मा का पतन करते हैं। इसलिए इन तीनों को त्याग देना चाहिए।

Meaning in English

Desire, anger and greed are the three gates of hell that bring about the ruin of the self. Therefore one should give up these three.

Bhagavad Gita 16.21 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
त्रिविधम्tri-vidhamthreefold
नरकस्यnarakasyaof hell
इदम् द्वारम्idam dvāramthis gate
नाशनम्nāśanamdestructive
आत्मनःātmanaḥof the self
कामःkāmaḥdesire, lust
क्रोधःkrodhaḥanger
तथा लोभःtathā lobhaḥand greed
तस्मात्tasmāttherefore
एतत् त्रयम्etat trayamthese three
त्यजेत्tyajetone should give up

Explanation

Desire, anger and greed — these are the three gates of hell that destroy the self. Therefore one should give up these three.

After describing divine and demonic qualities, Krishna names the three roots of downfall. "Hell" here is not only a place after death but also the inner state these forces create in this life. The next verse promises that one freed from these three gates walks towards the highest good.

भावार्थ

काम, क्रोध और लोभ — ये तीन नरक के द्वार हैं जो आत्मा का नाश करने वाले हैं; इसलिए इन तीनों को त्याग देना चाहिए।

Living it today

When desire, anger or greed rises, name it to yourself. Naming it is the first step to not obeying it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 16.21?

Desire, anger and greed — these are the three gates of hell that destroy the self. Therefore one should give up these three.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 16.21?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 16 (Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 16.21 in daily life?

When desire, anger or greed rises, name it to yourself. Naming it is the first step to not obeying it.

Reflected on verse 16.21?

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