Bhagavad Gita · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga — The Divine and Demoniac Natures
Chapter 16, Verse 21
त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः। कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत्॥
tri-vidhaṁ narakasyedaṁ dvāraṁ nāśanam ātmanaḥ kāmaḥ krodhas tathā lobhas tasmād etat trayaṁ tyajet
Meaning
Lust, anger, and greed — these are the three gates leading to hell, destructive to the self. Therefore, one should abandon all three.
काम, क्रोध और लोभ — ये तीन आत्मा के लिए विनाशकारी नरक के द्वार हैं। इसलिए इन तीनों को त्याग देना चाहिए।
Explanation
This verse offers a concise, practical diagnosis rather than an abstract theological statement: Krishna identifies three specific inner states — kama (lust/craving), krodha (anger), and lobha (greed) — as the root causes of self-destructive behavior. Rather than a long list of prohibited actions, the Gita here points to the underlying drives that generate harmful action in the first place. The word "naraka" (hell) is used less as a specific afterlife location and more as a description of self-inflicted ruin — these three states, left unchecked, are described as destroying a person's own wellbeing (nashanam atmanah) regardless of any cosmic consequence.
Life Lesson
This verse works well as a practical checklist independent of any specific religious framework: when examining a decision or a pattern of behavior that isn't serving you well, checking whether it's being driven by unchecked craving, anger, or greed is often a faster diagnostic than analyzing the situation's specifics in isolation.
Context
Spoken by Krishna in Chapter 16, which contrasts divine (daivi) and demoniac (asuri) qualities of character. This verse comes as Krishna identifies the specific inner drivers of the demoniac tendencies described earlier in the chapter.
Why this verse matters
The “three gates to hell” framing from this verse is one of the most frequently quoted moral teachings from the Gita, cited across both religious and secular self-improvement contexts as a concise summary of what to guard against.
Related verses
Connects to the broader discussion of the three gunas in Chapter 14, Verse 5, since rajas (passion) and tamas (ignorance) are closely tied to the drives named here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 16.21 mean?
Lust, anger, and greed — these are the three gates leading to hell, destructive to the self. Therefore, one should abandon all three.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
This verse works well as a practical checklist independent of any specific religious framework: when examining a decision or a pattern of behavior that isn't serving you well, checking whether it's being driven by unchecked craving, anger, or greed is often a faster diagnostic than analyzing the situation's specifics in isolation.
What is the context of this verse?
Spoken by Krishna in Chapter 16, which contrasts divine (daivi) and demoniac (asuri) qualities of character. This verse comes as Krishna identifies the specific inner drivers of the demoniac tendencies described earlier in the chapter.