Path of Meditation
Verse 6.6
बन्धुरात्माऽऽत्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः। अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्।।6.6।।
bandhur ātmātmanas tasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥ anātmanas tu śhatrutve vartetātmaiva śhatru-vat
Word Meanings
bandhuḥ—friend; ātmā—the mind; ātmanaḥ—for the person; tasya—of him; yena—by whom; ātmā—the mind; eva—certainly; ātmanā—for the person; jitaḥ—conquered; anātmanaḥ—of those with unconquered mind; tu—but; śhatrutve—for an enemy; varteta—remains; ātmā—the mind; eva—as; śhatru-vat—like an enemy
Translation · English
The Self is the friend of the self of him by whom the Self has been conquered; but to the unconquered self, this Self stands in the position of an enemy, like an external foe.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Krishna introduces the pivotal concept of self-mastery as the prerequisite for spiritual progress. The 'atman' here refers to the mind and the lower self—the ego-driven personality that is often erratic and swayed by external sense objects. When one uses their higher intellect (buddhi) to discipline and conquer the lower mind, that very same instrument becomes the greatest ally, a reliable friend that guides the seeker toward inner peace. The mind ceases to be a distracted wanderer and becomes an instrument of focused devotion and clarity. Conversely, for one who fails to exercise discipline, the mind remains an unruly 'anatma'—a self that is not governed by the soul. In this uncontrolled state, the mind acts as its own worst enemy, creating toxic projections, anxieties, and desires that sabotage the seeker's journey. Krishna is teaching Arjuna that the battle for liberation is not against external foes, but a strategic campaign fought within the territory of one's own consciousness. True mastery is the transformation of the mind from an adversary that imprisons us into a bridge that connects us to the Divine.
Your mind is either the golden key that unlocks your divinity or the iron chain that binds you to suffering, depending entirely on whether you have mastered it through steady practice.
Connected Verses
This preceding verse sets the stage by emphasizing that one must lift the self by the self, forming the foundation for the friend/enemy duality.
Arjuna echoes the difficulty of this mental mastery, acknowledging the turbulent, impetuous nature of the mind.
Offers the practical solution of establishing the higher self (Buddhi) over the senses and the mind to achieve inner victory.
Explains the consequence of an unmastered mind, which wanders and steals away the seeker's wisdom like a gale on the water.
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