Chapter 6, Verse 5
Dhyana Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
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
English 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.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 6.5
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.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
Simple Meaning
Elevate yourself by your own Self; do not degrade yourself. For the Self alone is the friend of the self, and the Self alone is the enemy of the self.
Context & Background
Krishna explains self-discipline and meditation in Dhyana Yoga.
Key Philosophical Teaching
You are your own greatest ally or your own worst enemy. Self-mastery leads to liberation, while self-indulgence leads to downfall.
Practical Application
Take personal responsibility for your mental habits. Cultivate self-discipline, constructive thoughts, and positive action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main takeaway from BG 6.5?
You hold the key to your own progress. A disciplined mind acts as your best friend, while an undisciplined mind acts as your worst enemy.
Related Verses
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