Bhagavad Gita 16.21 — Tri-vidham Narakasyedam Dvaram — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता 16.21 — त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
त्रिविधम्
tri-vidham
of three kinds
नरकस्य
narakasya
of hell
इदम्
idam
this
द्वारम्
dvāram
gate, doorway
नाशनम्
nāśhanam
destruction, ruinous
आत्मनः
ātmanaḥ
of the self
कामः
kāmaḥ
lust, desire
क्रोधः
krodhaḥ
anger
तथा
tathā
and, as well as
लोभः
lobhaḥ
greed
तस्मात्
tasmāt
therefore
एतत्
etat
these
त्रयम्
trayam
three
त्यजेत्
tyajet
one should abandon
Complete Translation
There are three gates to this hell, destructive of the self: lust, anger, and greed; therefore, one should abandon these three.
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, Verse 21
Author: Bhagavan Sri Krishna (as recorded by Maharishi Veda Vyasa)
Period: Ancient (part of the Mahabharata, c. 5th–2nd century BCE in present form)
Having contrasted the divine and demoniac natures throughout Chapter 16, Krishna distils the demoniac path into its three deadliest roots — lust, anger and greed — and warns that they are gateways to ruin. The verse is among the most quoted moral teachings of the Gita, echoing the earlier passage (2.62–63) on how desire breeds anger and downfall. It stands as a timeless caution to every seeker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three gates to hell in Bhagavad Gita 16.21?▼
Krishna names lust (kama), anger (krodha) and greed (lobha) as the three gates to hell, destructive of the self. He instructs that these three be wholly abandoned, for they ruin both worldly welfare and spiritual progress.
Why are these three singled out?▼
Lust, anger and greed are the root impulses from which all other vices spring. They cloud judgement, agitate the mind, and bind the soul to suffering, which is why Krishna calls them ruinous and urges their complete renunciation.
How can these enemies be conquered?▼
The Gita prescribes self-control, discernment, detachment and devotion. By recognising these impulses as 'gates of hell' and refusing to act on them, while turning the mind toward the higher Self and the Divine, one is gradually freed from their grip.
What does the chapter say follows their abandonment?▼
In the next verse (16.22), Krishna explains that one freed from these three gates of darkness acts for the welfare of the soul and thereby attains the supreme goal. Abandoning lust, anger and greed opens the path to liberation.
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