In Bhagavad Gita 16.21, Krishna says desire, anger and greed are the threefold gate of hell, destructive of the self; therefore one should abandon these three.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं
द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः
कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्
तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत् ॥ १६-२१ ॥
trividhaṃ narakasyedaṃ
dvāraṃ nāśanamātmanaḥ
kāmaḥ krodhastathā lobhas
tasmādetattrayaṃ tyajet
English transliteration trividham narakasyedam
dvaaram naashanamaatmanah
kaamah krodhastathaa lobhas
tasmaadetattrayam tyajet ॥ 16.21 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Desire, anger and greed: this is the threefold gate of hell, destructive of the self. Therefore one should abandon these three.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| त्रिविधम् trividham | threefold |
| नरकस्य narakasya | of hell |
| इदम् idam | this |
| द्वारम् dvāram | gate |
| नाशनम् nāśanam | destructive |
| आत्मनः ātmanaḥ | of the self |
| कामः kāmaḥ | desire |
| क्रोधः krodhaḥ | anger |
| तथा tathā | and |
| लोभः lobhaḥ | greed |
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| एतत् etat | this |
| त्रयम् trayam | three |
| त्यजेत् tyajet | one should abandon |
Word-wise Chanting
- tri–vi–dhaṃ na–ra–kas–ye–daṃ 8 syllables tri-vi-dham na-ra-kas-ye-dam
- dvā–raṃ nā–śa–na–māt–ma–naḥ | 8 syllables dvaa-ram naa-sha-na-maat-ma-nah
- kā–maḥ kro–dhas–ta–thā lo–bhas– 8 syllables kaa-mah kro-dhas-ta-thaa lo-bhas-
- tas–mā–de–tat–tra–yaṃ tya–jet || 16-21 8 syllables tas-maa-de-tat-tra-yam tya-jet
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 16 Verse 21
Context
Krishna gives the practical conclusion of the chapter (16.21–16.24).
Meaning
All the demonic qualities can be traced to three: kāma, desire; krodha, anger; and lobha, greed. These are the dvāra, the gate, to naraka, hellish suffering. They are ātmano nāśana, ruinous to oneself. The remedy is clear: abandon all three.
This verse gives a simple, powerful practice. Whenever we notice desire, anger or greed, we are standing at the gate. We can choose not to enter.
In Practice
Watch for desire, anger and greed today. When one arises, pause before acting on it.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (Divine and Undivine Qualities). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.