Chapter 16, Verse 21
त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मन: |
काम: क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत् ॥21॥
tri-vidhaṁ narakasyedaṁ dvāraṁ nāśhanam ātmanaḥ
kāmaḥ krodhas tathā lobhas tasmād etat trayaṁ tyajet
"This door of hell, which is the destroyer of the soul, is of three kinds—lust, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should abandon these three."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 16.21 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 16.21 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna identifies the three root poisons of the human psyche: Lust (Kama), Anger (Krodha), and Greed (Lobha). He terms them 'gates to hell' because they lead the soul into lower states of existence and self-destruction. In Vedic psychology, these are interconnected; unfulfilled lust leads to anger, and the pursuit of selfish desires leads to greed. Abandoning them is the first step toward spiritual and psychological liberation (Moksha).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 16.21?
This door of hell, which is the destroyer of the soul, is of three kinds—lust, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should abandon these three.