Bhagavad Gita · Verse 16.22
Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (दैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
एतैर्विमुक्तः कौन्तेय तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नरः । आचरत्यात्मनः श्रेयस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ॥२२॥
etairvimuktaḥ kaunteya tamodvāraistribhirnaraḥ | ācaratyātmanaḥ śreyastato yāti parāṃ gatim ||22||
Complete Shloka Translation
Freed from these three gates of darkness, O Kaunteya, a person acts for their own true welfare and then reaches the highest goal.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| श्रेयस् | śreyas | true welfare |
| गति | gati | destination or state |
| एतैर्विमुक्तः | etairvimuktaḥ | [term] in context of Freed from these three gates o... |
| कौन्तेय | kaunteya | [term] in context of Freed from these three gates o... |
| तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नरः | tamodvāraistribhirnaraḥ | [term] in context of Freed from these three gates o... |
| आचरत्यात्मनः | ācaratyātmanaḥ | [term] in context of Freed from these three gates o... |
| श्रेयस्ततो | śreyastato | [term] in context of Freed from these three gates o... |
| याति | yāti | [term] in context of Freed from these three gates o... |
| परां | parāṃ | [term] in context of Freed from these three gates o... |
| गतिम् | gatim | [term] in context of Freed from these three gates o... |
| २२ | gatim | [term] in context of Freed from these three gates o... |
true welfare
destination or state
[term] in context of Freed from these three gates o...
[term] in context of Freed from these three gates o...
[term] in context of Freed from these three gates o...
[term] in context of Freed from these three gates o...
[term] in context of Freed from these three gates o...
[term] in context of Freed from these three gates o...
[term] in context of Freed from these three gates o...
[term] in context of Freed from these three gates o...
[term] in context of Freed from these three gates o...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Release from the three tendencies is joined with positive action for shreyas, one's deeper good. The verse does not stop at avoidance: conduct oriented toward genuine welfare becomes part of the movement toward the supreme goal.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Replace one harmful impulse with a concrete act that supports lasting well-being."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What constructive action could replace a harmful impulse?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.