There are many verses in Gita, which directly warn that if a man does not control his soul and indulges in evil, he not only loses his spiritual progress but also goes on the path to hell.
Specifically, a verse in the Gita mentions three major evils that lead a person to spiritual degradation. These evils are lust, anger, and greed. According to the verse, these three evils cloud man’s intelligence and discretion and induce him to follow the wrong path in his actions.
Kama, i.e. excessive desire and lust, attracts man towards immediate pleasure. When a person acts only to fulfill his desires and ignores moral values, his mind loses peace and balance. This is stated in the Gita as a warning that a person under the influence of lust deviates from his true purpose and hinders the progress of the soul.
Anger is the second major evil. It is said in Geeta that intelligence is destroyed by anger. When a person comes under the influence of anger, he not only behaves harmfully with others but also becomes blind in his decisions. The fruit of anger is often destructive, as it leads a person to violence, deceit, and other negative actions.
The third evil is greed. Greed or excessive greed pushes a person towards immoral acts. When a man strives only for the attainment of material happiness, wealth or power, he not only ignores his religion but also becomes harmful to the society and his family. Greed is described in the Gita as a major threat to one’s soul, as it keeps one away from lasting happiness and spiritual peace.
The combined effect of these three evils is especially fatal. According to Geeta, when lust, anger and greed dominate a person’s mind, intellect and actions, he not only heads towards hell but faces sorrow, unrest and mental disorders in his life. This is the reason why solutions to get rid of these evils have also been suggested in Geeta.
Lord Krishna instructed Arjuna that one should control one’s mind and intellect, and remove these evils from one’s life through satsang, meditation, and pious deeds. Only a person who rises above lust, anger and greed and follows the path of religion and knowledge can truly achieve spiritual progress and escape the gates of hell.
The importance of this verse has increased even more in today’s times, because the fast pace of modern life and materialism are strengthening these evils. In an environment of social media, consumerism and competition, it is necessary for a person to be alert. Geeta teaches us that only through self-control and good deeds can man overcome these three evils.
In short, this verse of Gita clearly warns that lust, anger and greed not only degrade a person morally but also lead him on the path to hell. Only by making efforts towards spiritual consciousness and good deeds, man can get freedom from these and move towards true happiness, peace and salvation.