Srimad Bhagavad-Gita : Chapter-16, Daiva-asura-sampad-vibhaga-yogam, Slokam-22.

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Thursday, June 24, 2021. 9 : 44. AM.
Srimad Bhagavad-Gita
Chapter-16.  Daiva-asura-sampad-vibhaga-yogam.
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Slokam - 22 :
"etairvimuktah  kaunteya  tamodvaraistribhirnarah,
acaratyatmanah  sreyah  tato  yati  param  gatim.".
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Translation :

kaunteya  etaih  tribhih  =  Arjuna  these  three  ( by these three kinds of );

tamah  dvarah  vimuktah  =  being liberated  from  the gates of ignorance  ( by  giving  up   gates  of  hell  i.e, lust, anger, and greed );

narah  =   a person  ( human beings );

atmanah  sreyah  acarati  =  performs  Sadhana-s  for  Self- benediction;

tatah   param   gatim  yati  =  thereafter  through  these  Sadhana-s  attain  supreme  destination  (  jivatma  joins  the  Paramatma )

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Tatvam (Essence) : 

.Slokam-22.  "The man who has escaped these three gates of hell, O Arjuna!, performs acts conducive to self-realization and thus gradually attains the supreme destination."

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Commentary :

One should be very careful of these three enemies to human life: lust, anger, and greed. The more a person is freed from lust, anger and greed, the more his existence becomes pure. Then he can follow the rules and regulations enjoined in the Vedic literature. By following the regulative principles of human life, one gradually raises himself to the platform of spiritual realization. 

In the Vedic literature, the ways of action and reaction are prescribed to enable one to come to the stage of purification. The whole method is based on giving up lust, greed and anger. By cultivating knowledge of this process, one can be elevated to the highest position of self-realization; this self-realization is perfected in devotional service. In that devotional service, the liberation of the conditioned soul is guaranteed. 

Therefore, according to the Vedic system, there are instituted the four orders of life and the four statuses of life, called the caste system and the spiritual order system. There are different rules and regulations for different castes or divisions of society, and if a person is able to follow them, he will be automatically raised to the highest platform of spiritual realization. Then he can have liberation without a doubt.

Lord Krishna praises the avoidance of lust, greed and anger for by doing so the highest good and well being of a human being is assured. Freedom from these voracious evils allows one to engage in spiritual activities beneficial for oneself and all creation by the acquisition of spiritual knowledge concerning devotion to the Supreme Lord along with atma tattva realisation of the soul and moksa or liberation from material existence. This insures one will never have to enter a hellish condition of life and eventually will attain the Supreme Lord.

The special result of renouncing lust, greed and anger is being stated by Lord Krishna in that such a person is able to acquire the mental understanding that develops the consciousness to the point where spiritual pursuits become attractive and desirable such as vegetarianism, the practice of yoga, meditation and engagement in austerities like fasting and celibacy. Thereby one begins the process of purifying oneself enough to gain the association of the Vaisnavas who are Lord Krishna's exclusive devotees and who will guide one to embark upon the path of devotion for their ultimate benefit.

Lust, greed and anger are all situated deep in tama-guna the mode of ignorance and as such causes the demoniac to be deluded by immense illusion regarding the factual reality of the Supreme Lord Krishna. Although difficult to rectify the jiva or embodied being who is able to avert them can escape their control and employ themselves in a manner that is conducive to the development of spiritual consciousness and atma tattva or realisation of the soul. 

Any jiva who achieves actual, factual knowledge of Lord Krishna as the creator of all and His absolute paramount position as the Supreme Lord of all existence will naturally develop reverence for Him. This results in a harmonious spirit attuned with the divine nature, cooperation with His devotees and the utmost respect for all life and creation. 

From this point of consciousness one will attain association with Lord Krishna's devotees and by their mercy proceed to attaining the sublime, ultimate goal under their guidance. That disregard and disrespect for the ordinances and injunctions of the Vedic scriptures is the main reason why a jiva will be forced to go and suffer in hell is explained next Slokam.

To be continued  .....

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