Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 16, verse 21 · Krishna
Bhagavad Gita 16.21 · Trividham Narakasyedam
त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः ।
कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत् ॥
trividhaṃ narakasyedaṃ dvāraṃ nāśanamātmanaḥ |
kāmaḥ krodhastathā lobhastasmādetattrayaṃ tyajet ||
Translation
Desire, anger and greed — these are the three gates of hell that destroy the self. Therefore, give up these three.
Explanation
A short, memorable summary of the Gita’s ethics: the three inner forces most likely to lead a person astray.
Context
Spoken by Krishna in chapter 16, Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga — “The Divine and Demonic Natures”, which has 24 verses.
Frequently asked questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 16.21 mean?
Desire, anger and greed — these are the three gates of hell that destroy the self. Therefore, give up these three.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 16.21?
Krishna, speaking to Arjuna, in chapter 16, Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (The Divine and Demonic Natures).
Sanskrit text: traditional, public domain. Translation and explanation are our own.