16.21 thrividham narakasyEdham

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Chapter 16

<< Chapter 16 Verse 20

SlOkam – Original

thrividham narakasyEdham dhvAram nASanam Athmana: |
kAma: krOdhas thathA lObhas thasmadhEthath thrayam thyajEth ||

word-by-word meaning

kAma: – lust
krOdha: – anger
thathA lObha: – greed
Ethath – these
narakasya – the hell of demoniac nature
Athmana: nASanam – to destroy the AthmA
thrividham dhvAram – three types of causes;
thasmAth – thus
Ethath thrayam – these three
thyajEth – should be shunned.

Simple Translation

These three aspects – lust, anger and greed are the three types of causes to destroy the AthmA leading it to the hell of demoniac nature; thus, these three should be shunned.

Rendering based on ALkoNdavilli gOvindhAchArya swAmy’s English translation of gIthA bhAshyam

‘Triple is this door to Naraka, compassing souls’ ruin: lust, wrath and greed. Hence shun this triad.’

The Non-divine (=āsura) nature is itself the Infernum (naraka). The portal leading to it is triple which is souls’ ruin; viz: lust, wrath and greed. The nature of these passions has already been described.

Dvāra=Door=path=cause.

Hence, fling to a distance, or completely eschew these three (enemies), called lust, wrath and greed, since they constitute the cause that leads to the most dreadful Naraka.

>> Chapter 16 Verse 22

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