Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Verse 22 (16.22)
Reflective Prompt:
When deciding how to act in a complex moral dilemma, what is your primary authority?
- ▪ Option 1: Following my own personal desires, moods, and convenient choices in the moment.
- ▪ Option 2: Consulting established scriptures and guidelines of Dharma (Shastra) to act responsibly.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Verse 22 (16.22)
एतैर्विमुक्तः कौन्तेय तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नरः । आचरत्यात्मनः श्रेयस्ततो याति परां गतिम् | | १६-२२ | |
etairvimuktaḥ kaunteya tamodvāraistribhirnaraḥ ācharatyātmanaḥ śhreyastato yāti parāṁ gatim
Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
- एतैः
(etaih)— इनसे(from these) - विमुक्तः
(vimuktah)— मुक्त होकर(freed) - कौन्तेय
(Kaunteya)— हे कौन्तेय अर्जुन(Arjuna) -
tamodvaraisjoined in tamodvāraistribhirnaraḥ - त्रिभिः
(tribhih)— तीनों से(by the three) - नरः
(narah)— मनुष्य(a person)
Line 2:
- आचरति
(acarati)— आचरण करता है(performs) - आत्मनः
(atmanah)— अपने(for his own) - श्रेयः
(shreyah)— कल्याण(good/welfare) - ततः
(tatah)— तब(thereby) - याति
(yati)— प्राप्त करता है(goes to) - परम्
(param)— परम(the supreme) - गतिम्
(gatim)— गति(state/destination)
English: These three lead to darkness. A person who avoids them acts for their own good and finally reaches freedom.
Learnings from Shloka 22:
- Release from Darkness:: Overcoming lust, anger, and greed frees the mind's energy for spiritual growth.
- Attaining the Goal:: Righteous actions (Dharma) naturally lead the soul toward ultimate liberation and peace.
Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 16.22 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
A person who is released from these three gates of darkness, Arjuna, performs what is good for the Self, and thus attains the highest goal.