Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 16 verse 21
Chapter 16 · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

The Three Gates · Knowing What to Step Away From

त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः । कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत् ॥

tri-vidhaṁ narakasyedaṁ dvāraṁ nāśanam ātmanaḥ kāmaḥ krodhas tathā lobhas tasmād etat trayaṁ tyajet

Meaning

"There are three gates to self-destructive ruin — lust, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should abandon all three."

Explanation

These three — craving, anger, greed — are named clearly here not to scare us, but because naming the exact doorways to trouble makes them much easier to recognize and step away from. Clarity about the danger is itself a form of protection.

Today's Life Lesson

If you feel lust, anger, or greed pulling at you today, simply naming it as one of these three gates can help you step back.

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