एतैर्विमुक्त: कौन्तेय तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नर: ।
आचरत्यात्मन: श्रेयस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ॥ २२ ॥
etair vimuktaḥ kaunteya tamo-dvārais tribhir naraḥ
ācharaty ātmanaḥ śhreyas tato yāti parāṁ gatim
श्लोक २२: हे कुंती पुत्र, जो व्यक्ति इन नरक के द्वारों से मुक्त हो जाता है वह वही करता है जो उसके लिए आध्यात्मिक रूप से लाभदायक होता है और सर्वोच्च लक्ष्य प्राप्त कर लेता है।
Shloka 22: O Kaunteya, the person who is freed from these three gates of darkness, practices what is beneficial for himself spiritually and thus attains the supreme goal.
Bhagavad Gita verse 16.22 presents a profound message about overcoming the destructive forces of lust, anger, and greed, which Lord Krishna identifies as the three gates to darkness or hell. The Sanskrit verse "एतैर्विमुक्त: कौन्तेय तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नर: | आचरत्यात्मन: श्रेयस्ततो याति परां गतिम्" translates to "Those who are free from the three gates to darkness endeavor for the welfare of their soul, and thereby attain the supreme goal".This verse comes after Krishna has warned about the destructive nature of these three qualities and now shifts to a message of hope, explaining the positive outcome when one overcomes these negative tendencies. The term "etair vimuktaḥ" (freed from these) suggests that these gates to darkness—lust, anger, and greed—are not permanent shackles but rather optional traps that we can choose to avoid.Lord Krishna uses the metaphor of doors or gates (tamo-dvārais) to darkness, indicating that by not walking through them, a person avoids spiritual blindness and delusion. These three negative qualities cloud our judgment and prevent us from seeing the path to true spiritual welfare. When we are consumed by desire, rage, and greed, we are attracted toward what Sanskrit calls "preya"—happiness that seems sweet in the present but becomes bitter in the end.However, when we free ourselves from these three gates, a remarkable transformation occurs. Without the distortion of these selfish desires, we naturally begin living in harmony with dharma. The phrase "ācharaty ātmanaḥ śhreyas" indicates that such a person acts for the true welfare of their soul. As materialistic yearnings diminish, the intellect becomes free from the material mode of passion and is able to perceive the shortsightedness of pursuing temporary pleasures.Those who overcome these three negative qualities are drawn toward what is called "shreya"—happiness that might seem unpleasant in the present but becomes sweet in the end. The path of enlightenment opens up for such individuals, and they begin endeavoring for the eternal welfare of their souls. This shift in focus from immediate gratification to long-term spiritual well-being marks a significant turning point in one's spiritual journey.The final phrase of the verse, "tato yāti parāṁ gatim," reveals the ultimate outcome: such a person attains the supreme destination or liberation (moksha). Freedom from the cycle of birth and death becomes possible when one stops feeding the very qualities that keep them bound to material existence. The path to liberation begins not with mystical practices but with the simple yet profound act of walking away from lust, anger, and greed.What makes this verse particularly powerful is its practical approach to spiritual progress. It suggests that spiritual advancement doesn't require extraordinary feats but rather the conscious choice to resist negative impulses and cultivate positive qualities. By overcoming the three gates to darkness, we naturally align ourselves with our higher nature and begin working for our true spiritual welfare, which ultimately leads us to the supreme goal—union with the Divine.
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