एतैर्विमुक्तः कौन्तेय तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नरः ।
आचरत्यात्मनः श्रेयस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ॥
आचरत्यात्मनः श्रेयस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे कुन्तीनन्दन इन नरकके तीनों दरवाजोंसे रहित हुआ जो मनुष्य अपने कल्याणका आचरण करता है, वह परमगतिको प्राप्त हो जाता है ॥
English
Freed from these three gates of darkness, a person acts for their own good and reaches the highest state.
What this verse means
When a person is free from desire, anger, and greed, they live in a way that supports their highest good and reach the highest state.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Krishna continues his warning to Arjuna after naming desire, anger, and greed as the three gates of ruin. He now shows the other side: a person who escapes these forces can live in a way that leads upward, not downward.
Why this verse still matters
You pause before sending the cruel text, buying the thing you do not need, or lashing out in pride. That pause can save your character.
The takeaway
Freedom is not emptiness; it gives you room to act in your own best interest.
Word-by-word translation
एतैः (from these) / विमुक्तः (freed) / कौन्तेय (O son of Kunti) / तैः (by those) / त्रिभिः (three) / नरः (person) / आचरति (practices) / आत्मनः (of one's own) / श्रेयः (well-being) / ततः (then) / याति (goes) / पराम् (highest) / गतिम् (state)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga — The Divine and Demoniac Natures, which contains 24 verses.
Explore related themes: kama (23 verses), krodha (11 verses)