Chapter 6 Verse 5
Dhyān Yog
उद्धरेदात्मनाऽऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्। आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः।।6.5।।
uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ
Word Meanings
| uddharet | elevate |
| ātmanā | through the mind |
| ātmānam | the self |
| na | not |
| ātmānam | the self |
| avasādayet | degrade |
| ātmā | the mind |
| eva | certainly |
| hi | indeed |
| ātmanaḥ | of the self |
| bandhuḥ | friend |
| ātmā | the mind |
| eva | certainly |
| ripuḥ | enemy |
| ātmanaḥ | of the self |
Translation
One should raise oneself by one's own self alone; let not one lower oneself; for the self alone is one's own friend, and the self alone is one's own enemy.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse teaches that change must begin within. You are responsible for lifting yourself up through your own choices and effort.
Your mind can either help or harm you. If you feed it doubt, laziness, or anger, you will fall; if you train it with steady practice and kindness, it becomes your closest ally.
So spiritual life is practical: discipline your thoughts and actions gently and consistently so the self becomes a friend, not an enemy.
Life Application
- Watch your inner speech; when you notice self-criticism, replace it with a constructive, calm message.
- Build small daily habits (breathwork, short meditation, regular exercise, focused work) to create steady inner strength.
- Break big tasks into tiny steps and celebrate progress to prevent self-sabotage and keep momentum.
Reflection Question
How have my thoughts helped or hurt me today?