Gita 16.22
Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
एतैर्विमुक्तः कौन्तेय तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नरः | आचरत्यात्मनः श्रेयस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ||२२||
etair vimuktaḥ kaunteya tamo-dvārais tribhir naraḥ | ācaraty ātmanaḥ śreyas tato yāti parāṁ gatim ||22||
In essence: A person freed from these three gates of darkness practices what is truly beneficial for the soul and thereby attains the supreme goal.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "How does one become 'vimuktaḥ'—freed—from these three? The previous verse said 'abandon,' but how?"
Guru: "Multiple approaches work together: wisdom (understanding their nature), practice (redirecting energy through discipline), devotion (replacing lower desires with higher love), and grace (receiving help beyond personal effort). The Gita offers all these paths. Start where you can: If you can analyze, pursue wisdom. If you can discipline, pursue practice. If you can love, pursue devotion. All converge on freedom."
Sadhak: "What is 'śreyaḥ'—the good of the self? How do I know I'm practicing it?"
Guru: "Śreyas is distinguished from preyas (pleasant). Preyas feels good immediately but may harm long-term. Śreyas may be challenging immediately but leads to genuine well-being. Spiritual practice, ethical living, self-discipline, service—these are śreyas. You know you're practicing it when: it aligns with dharma, produces increasing peace over time, and moves you toward wisdom rather than ignorance."
Sadhak: "Is complete freedom from desire, anger, and greed possible in human life?"
Guru: "Complete freedom—where these never arise—may be rare. Functional freedom—where these arise but don't control—is achievable for sincere practitioners. Even this functional freedom is liberating. You may still feel a flash of desire; but you are not compelled to act on it. Compulsion ends; wisdom chooses. This is 'vimukti' in practical terms."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Begin the day affirming: 'I am working to free myself from the three gates. Today I will practice what is good for my soul.' This sets intention. Without intention, the day's events dictate responses.
When any of the three gates presents itself, consciously choose non-entry. Then ask: 'What would be śreyas (highest good) in this situation?' Choose that, even if less immediately pleasant. This is 'ācarati ātmanaḥ śreyas' in action.
Review: Did you approach liberation from the three gates today? Did you practice śreyas at least sometimes? Celebrate progress, however small. Each day of this practice is accumulating momentum toward the supreme goal.