Bhagavad Gita 6.5

Dhyana Yoga · English Translation

One should raise oneself by one's Self alone; let not one lower oneself; for the Self alone is the friend of oneself, and the Self alone is the enemy of oneself.

Sanskrit

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् | आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ||६-५||

Transliteration

uddharedātmanātmānaṃ nātmānamavasādayet . ātmaiva hyātmano bandhurātmaiva ripurātmanaḥ ||6-5||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this verse, Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna that the responsibility for one's own spiritual progress lies entirely within oneself. The teaching emphasizes a dual nature of the self: when controlled through discipline and wisdom, it becomes our greatest friend; however, if left to unchecked desires and laziness, it becomes our worst enemy. Ultimately, no external force can save or destroy you except your own inner state.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse is central to Dhyana Yoga, which integrates concepts from Sankhya philosophy regarding the distinction between the mind and the true Self. It specifically develops the concept of Atma-bandhuha-Atma-ripu-ha (the self as friend/enemy), establishing that spiritual liberation or bondage is a result of one's internal mental state rather than external circumstances.

Word by Word

उद्धरेत् should raise, आत्मना by the Self, आत्मानम् the self, न not, आत्मानम् the self, अवसादयेत् let (him) lower, आत्मा the Self, एव only, हि verily, आत्मनः of the self, बन्धुः friend, आत्मा the Self, एव only, रिपुः the enemy, आत्मनः of the self

Classical Commentary

Practise Yog. Discipline the senses and the mind. Elevate yourself and become a Yogarudha. Attain to Yoga. Shine gloriously as a dynamic Yogi. Do not sink into the ocean of Samsara (transmigration). Do not become a wordlyminded man. Do not become a slave of lust, greed and anger. Rise above worldliness, become divine and attain Godhead. You alone are your friend you alone are your enemy. The socalled worldly friend is not your real friend, because he gets attached to you, wastes your time and puts obstacles on your path of Yoga. He is very selfish and keeps friendship with you only to extract something. If he is not able to get from you the object of his selfish interest, he forsakes you. Therefore he is your enemy in reality. If you are attached to your friend on account of delusion or affection, this will become a cause of your bondage to Samsara. Friends and enemies are not outside. They exist in the mind only. It is the mind that makes a friend an enemy and an enemy a friend. Therefore the Self alone is the friend of oneself, and the Self alone is the enemy of oneself. The lower mind or the Asuddha Manas (impure mind) is your real enemy because it binds you to the Samsara, and the higher mind or the Sattvic mind (Suddha Manas or the pure mind) is your real friend, because it helps you in the attainment of Moksha.

Where This Happens

This teaching occurs during Chapter 6 on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where Lord Krishna is guiding Prince Arjuna through the stage of Dhyana Yoga (Meditation). After explaining that one who has conquered their mind can see the self in all beings and vice versa, Krishna addresses a potential confusion: how does this internal work happen? He clarifies that while God guides, the actual lifting or lowering of the soul depends on Arjuna's own effort. At this moment, Arjuna feels overwhelmed by the complexity of controlling his mind amidst emotional turmoil.

Living It Out Today

Consider a professional facing burnout after missing several deadlines due to procrastination and self-criticism. Instead of waiting for a manager or colleague to 'fix' their motivation, they apply this verse by recognizing that only their own daily choices—waking up early, focusing on one task at a time—can reverse the decline. If they continue to indulge in distractions (lowering themselves), stress and failure will compound; but if they discipline their habits (raising themselves), they rebuild confidence and competence.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have two sides inside your heart that are always playing games with each other: a 'Good Coach' side and a 'Lazy Side'. If the Good Coach pushes you to do homework, practice kindness, and stay calm, it helps you win in life. But if the Lazy Side makes you give up or be angry, it hurts your chances of winning. This verse teaches that you are both the coach and the player, so you must choose which side leads!

Daily Reflection

Today, ask yourself: who is driving this car? Is it the voice of doubt telling you that you are not enough, or is it the inner wisdom reminding you of your boundless potential. You hold both the key to your liberation and the chain of your limitations within your own hands; the power to change your day lies in deciding which master serves as your guide.

A Practice for Today

Sit quietly and observe your mind as either an ally or an adversary; notice where you are pulling yourself toward peace versus where fear is dragging you down. With every breath, choose to be the gentle hand that lifts your spirit rather than the heavy weight of self-criticism.

Key Teachings

The Self is Both Judge and Jury
Krishna reveals that there is no external savior or enemy outside of our own consciousness. The quality of one's life depends entirely on whether the mind has been disciplined to serve higher ideals or indulged in lower impulses.
Self-Mastery Through Will
The verse commands an active effort: 'raise' oneself, implying that spiritual elevation is a dynamic act of will and discipline. It suggests that without conscious self-regulation, the natural tendency of the untrained mind is to descend into chaos.
Dual Nature of the Mind
The same faculty that binds us through attachment can also liberate us through detachment and wisdom. When controlled by reason, the Self becomes a friend; when ruled by impulse, it transforms into an enemy.

Themes

Self-MasteryMental DisciplineInner ConflictSpiritual ResponsibilityMind ControlDhyana Yoga

Related Verses

2.6 3.41 5.7 5.9 18.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this mean God has no role in our salvation?

No, it means that while divine grace is essential for spiritual life, the individual must first take active responsibility to prepare their mind and heart. The verse emphasizes personal effort (purushakara) as a prerequisite; one cannot expect rescue without making the internal effort to 'raise' oneself through discipline.

How can someone turn themselves from an enemy into a friend?

By practicing self-discipline, controlling the senses, and cultivating positive thoughts. When you consistently make choices that align with your highest values rather than immediate desires or laziness, you transform your mind from a source of chaos (enemy) to a source of peace and success (friend).

Is this verse only for spiritual practitioners like monks?

No, the teaching applies to everyone regardless of their religious background. Any person struggling with self-sabotage, anxiety, or lack of motivation can use this principle to realize that they hold the power to change their life trajectory through conscious action.

What is the connection between this verse and meditation?

This verse sets the foundation for Dhyana Yoga (meditation) by establishing the mind as the tool. To meditate effectively, one must first use that same mind to discipline itself; if you cannot control your own thoughts in daily life, it is impossible to settle them during deep meditation.

In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 6.5 →