etair vimuktaḥ kaunteya tamo-dvārais tribhir naraḥ
ācharaty ātmanaḥ śhreyas tato yāti parāṁ gatim
etaiḥ — from this;
vimuktaḥ — freed;
kaunteya — Arjun, the son of Kunti;
tamaḥ-dvāraiḥ — gates to darkness;
tribhiḥ — three;
naraḥ — a person;
ācharati — endeavor;
ātmanaḥ — soul;
śhreyaḥ — welfare;
tataḥ — thereby;
yāti — attain;
parām — supreme;
gatim — goal
In this verse, we learn about three main obstacles in life: lust, anger, and greed. Think of these as three doors that lead to negative consequences, like a sort of hell in life. If someone can stay away from these three issues, their life will become much better.
When a person avoids lust, this means they do not let their desires take control of them. Lust can lead to mistakes and unhappiness because it often makes people chase after temporary pleasures rather than fulfilling and meaningful experiences. For instance, someone might get caught up in fleeting relationships that do not bring lasting happiness.
Next is anger. Anger can cloud our judgment and lead to conflict with others. When we react in anger, we may say or do things that we later regret. Keeping calm and controlling our anger can help maintain peace in our relationships and within ourselves.
Greed is the last of the three. It pushes a person to constantly want more than they need. This can lead to stealing, dishonesty, and stress. Instead of enjoying what we have, greed makes us live in a state of dissatisfaction. By letting go of greed, we can appreciate the simple joys of life and focus on what truly matters.
Now, when someone works hard to break free from these negative habits and influences, they start to improve their life significantly. They become more aware of their actions and start doing things that lead to understanding and inner peace. This means they are following a better path, guided by values and principles that lead to spiritual growth and self-realization.
Imagine that this is similar to training for a sport or a skill: the more focused and disciplined you are, the better you perform. In this case, by avoiding lust, anger, and greed, you 'train' your mind and soul, putting yourself on a path to true happiness and fulfillment.
Eventually, through this process of self-improvement and spiritual practice, the person can reach a state of true awareness or enlightenment, which can also be seen as achieving a supreme destination. This is not just about success in life but also a deeper connection with something greater—often described in spiritual terms as a connection with God or a higher purpose in life.
In summary, this verse encourages us to recognize the harmful effects of lust, anger, and greed. By actively working to overcome these issues, we can cultivate a more peaceful and fulfilling life. The idea is that by following a set of guidelines and ethical ways of living, found in spiritual teachings, we can sharpen our understanding of life and get closer to ultimate happiness and liberation.