उद्धरेदात्मनाऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् |
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ||५||
uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet
ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ
श्लोक ५: मनुष्य को अपने मन के द्वारा अपना उत्थान करना चाहिए तथा अपने पतन से बचना चाहिए। मनुष्य का मन उसका मित्र भी हो सकता है एवं शत्रु भी।
Shloka 5: One should elevate oneself with the help of the mind and avoid degrading oneself. The mind can either be your friend or your foe.
Verse 6.5 of the Bhagavad Gita presents one of the most profound psychological insights in spiritual literature. Krishna instructs Arjuna: "Elevate yourself through the power of your mind, and not degrade yourself, for the mind can be the friend and also the enemy of the self." This verse appears at a critical juncture where Krishna begins explaining the dangers of the mind and the importance of detachment from sense objects for yogic progress.
The Sanskrit original "uddhared atmanatmanam natmanam avasadayet" carries the powerful message that we must lift ourselves up through our own efforts rather than allowing ourselves to sink into degradation. The verse employs a metaphor of the self either rising or sinking, suggesting that spiritual progress relies primarily on our internal orientation rather than external circumstances. This places tremendous responsibility on the individual practitioner.
Central to understanding this verse is recognizing how the Sanskrit word "ātmā" functions in different contexts. While it can refer to the body, soul, or mind depending on usage, here Krishna specifically indicates the mind as both the potential friend and enemy of the self. This creates an interesting dynamic where one aspect of our consciousness (the disciplined mind) must be used to elevate another aspect (the self entangled in material existence).
The verse establishes a fundamental principle of spiritual psychology: the mind that attaches itself to sense objects becomes the cause of bondage, while the same mind, when properly directed and detached, becomes the instrument of liberation. This reveals the dual nature of the mind as both the problem and solution. Our mental state determines whether we sink deeper into material entanglement or rise toward spiritual freedom.
Krishna's teaching here reveals profound wisdom about human nature. We often seek external solutions to internal problems, looking outside ourselves for salvation or happiness. Yet this verse reminds us that the primary battlefield of spiritual growth lies within our own consciousness. No external force can elevate us if our own mind works against us, and conversely, even in challenging circumstances, a properly oriented mind can lift us toward liberation.
The verse also implies a continuous, moment-by-moment choice we face. Each thought pattern, each mental habit, either contributes to our elevation or our degradation. This creates a tremendous responsibility but also offers immense hope—we are not helpless victims of circumstance but active participants in our spiritual journey through the choices we make in directing our minds.
In the broader context of the Gita's sixth chapter on meditation, this verse serves as a foundational principle for the yogic path. Before Krishna details specific meditation techniques, he establishes this critical understanding: the practitioner must first recognize the mind's dual potential and commit to using it as a tool for elevation rather than allowing it to remain an instrument of bondage. This self-reliant approach to spiritual practice empowers the seeker with both responsibility and capability for their own liberation.
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