Verse 16.21 : Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga "Divine & Demonic Natures"
Verse 21 of 24
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The Translation
“Lust, anger, and greed are the three gates of hell leading to the ruin of the soul. Therefore, one must abandon these three.”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna delivers one of the most famous and practical summaries of the Gita. After detailing the complex psychology of the demoniac, he distills the root causes of all human suffering and degradation into three clear, identifiable triggers.
Practical Application
1
Identify which of the three gates—lust, anger, or greed—is your biggest trigger, and create a plan to guard against it.
2
When you feel a sudden surge of anger, take 10 deep breaths before saying or doing anything.
Reflections & Notes
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Self-Reflection Prompts
- How do lust, anger, and greed act as 'gates'? What are they letting into your mind when you indulge them?
- Why is greed (lobha) just as destructive to the soul as anger or lust?
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16.21
त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः
Shankara comments that these three are the roots of all evil. When desire is blocked, it turns into anger; when satisfied, it turns into greed. They destroy all discrimination (Atmanah nashanam), leaving the individual open to animalistic behaviors. Abandoning them is the first step toward self-realization.