In Bhagavad Gita 16.22, Krishna says the person freed from these three gates of darkness works for his own welfare and thus reaches the supreme goal.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
एतैर्विमुक्तः कौन्तेय
तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नरः
आचरत्यात्मनः श्रेयस्
ततो याति परां गतिम् ॥ १६-२२ ॥
etairvimuktaḥ kaunteya
tamodvāraistribhirnaraḥ
ācaratyātmanaḥ śreyas
tato yāti parāṃ gatim
English transliteration etairvimuktah kaunteya
tamodvaaraistribhirnarah
aacharatyaatmanah shreyas
tato yaati paraam gatim ॥ 16.22 ॥
Translation / Meaning
A person freed from these three gates of darkness, O son of Kunti, practises what is good for the self, and thereby reaches the supreme goal.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| एतैः etaiḥ | from these |
| विमुक्तः vimuktaḥ | freed |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| तमोद्वारैः tamodvāraiḥ | gates of darkness tamaḥ (darkness) + dvāraiḥ (gates) |
| त्रिभिः tribhiḥ | three |
| नरः naraḥ | a person |
| आचरति ācarati | practises |
| आत्मनः ātmanaḥ | for the self |
| श्रेयः śreyaḥ | what is good |
| ततः tataḥ | thereby |
| याति yāti | reaches |
| पराम् parām | supreme |
| गतिम् gatim | goal |
Word-wise Chanting
- e–tair–vi–muk–taḥ kaun–te–ya 8 syllables e-tair-vi-muk-tah kaun-te-ya
- ta–mod–vā–rais–tri–bhir–na–raḥ | 8 syllables ta-mod-vaa-rais-tri-bhir-na-rah
- ā–ca–rat–yāt–ma–naḥ śre–yas– 8 syllables aa-cha-rat-yaat-ma-nah shre-yas-
- ta–to yā–ti pa–rāṃ ga–tim || 16-22 8 syllables ta-to yaa-ti pa-raam ga-tim
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 22
Context
Krishna gives the positive result (16.21–16.24).
Meaning
Once freed from the three tamo-dvāras, gates of darkness, a person naturally pursues śreyas, what is truly good for the soul. Following that path, they reach the parā gati, the highest goal.
Freedom from desire, anger and greed does not leave a void. It opens the space for genuine good to grow.
In Practice
Notice the peace that follows when you let go of a moment of anger or greed today.
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.