Bhagavad Gita BG 16.21
Chapter 16, Verse 21 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः । कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत् ॥
tri-vidham narakasyedam dvAram nashanam atmanah kamah krodhas tatha lobhas tasmad etat trayam tyajet
Meaning
This is the triple gate of hell, destructive of the self: desire, anger, and greed. Therefore one must abandon these three.
Understanding
The famous triad: tri-vidham narakasya dvAram (the triple gate of hell). Nashanam atmanah (destructive of the self/Atman — of one's own spiritual being). The three: kamah (desire/lust), krodhah (anger), lobhah (greed). Tasmad etat trayam tyajet (therefore these three must be abandoned). These three are the primary forces of the asuric life and the root of all the demonic qualities described earlier. Desire when frustrated becomes anger; anger when fed generates greed; greed re-inflames desire — the infernal cycle.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| त्रिविधम् | tri-vidham | triple, threefold |
| नरकस्य | narakasya | of hell, leading to hell |
| द्वारम् | dvAram | gate, doorway, entrance |
| नाशनम् | nashanam | destructive, ruinous, causing ruin |
| लोभः | lobhah | greed, covetousness |
| नरकस्य | narakasya idam | of hell this |
| द्वारम् | dvāram | the gate |
| नाशनम् | nāśanam | destructive |
| आत्मनः | ātmanaḥ | of the self |
| कामः | kāmaḥ | lust |
| क्रोधः | krodhaḥ | anger |
| तथा | tathā | also |
| लोभः | lobhaḥ | greed |
| तस्मात् | tasmāt | therefore |
| एतत् | etat | this |
| त्रयम् | trayam | this triad |
| त्यजेत् | tyājet | one should abandon |