Bhagavad Gita 16.22
एतैर्विमुक्तः कौन्तेय तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नरः । आचरत्यात्मनः श्रेयस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ॥
etair vimuktaḥ kaunteya tamo-dvārais tribhir naraḥ ācaraty ātmanaḥ śreyas tato yāti parāṁ gatim
Translation
Released from these three gates of darkness, O son of Kunti, a man acts for his own welfare, and thence goes to the supreme path.
Reflection
Where would dropping a single grip free welfare-aimed action for you this week?
Read this verse in its chapter: Chapter Sixteen
And the release. Etair vimuktah, freed from these three doors of darkness. The man then acts for atmanah shreyah, what is truly best for self. Tato yati param gatim, goes to the supreme path. Note the order. First the release from the three. Then welfare-aimed action becomes possible. Then the supreme path opens. Without the release, even welfare-aimed action gets co-opted by lust, anger, or greed under another name. With the release, even ordinary action takes the seeker forward. Tamo-dvara: doors of darkness. The image holds. Stand at any of the three doors and the room behind is dark. Step away and light becomes visible. The verse gives the move without drama. Step away.