Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 6.5 उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्
श्लोक 6.5
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् ।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ॥
uddharedātmanātmānaṃ nātmānamavasādayet |
ātmaiva hyātmano bandhurātmaiva ripurātmanaḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
मनुष्य को अपने प्रयास से स्वयं को ऊपर उठाना चाहिए, स्वयं को नीचे नहीं गिराना चाहिए। क्योंकि मनुष्य स्वयं ही अपना मित्र है और स्वयं ही अपना शत्रु।
Meaning in English
One should lift oneself up by one's own effort and never let oneself sink down. For the self alone is one's friend, and the self alone is one's enemy.
Bhagavad Gita 6.5 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| उद्धरेत् | uddharet | one should lift up |
| आत्मना | ātmanā | by oneself |
| आत्मानम् | ātmānam | oneself |
| न अवसादयेत् | na avasādayet | should not let sink down |
| आत्मा एव | ātmā eva | oneself alone |
| हि | hi | indeed |
| आत्मनः | ātmanaḥ | of oneself |
| बन्धुः | bandhuḥ | friend |
| रिपुः | ripuḥ | enemy |
Explanation
Lift yourself up by your own effort; do not let yourself sink down. You alone are your own friend, and you alone are your own enemy.
Here "ātman" means one's own mind and will. The Gita places responsibility for growth on each person: no one else can do our inner work for us. The same mind that drags us down can, when trained, become our best friend — the next verse explains how.
भावार्थ
मनुष्य को अपने द्वारा अपना उद्धार करना चाहिए, अपने को गिराना नहीं चाहिए; क्योंकि मनुष्य आप ही अपना मित्र है और आप ही अपना शत्रु।
Living it today
Instead of waiting to be rescued, take one small step today to lift yourself — and speak to yourself as a friend would.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 6.5?
Lift yourself up by your own effort; do not let yourself sink down. You alone are your own friend, and you alone are your own enemy.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.5?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 6 (Dhyana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 6.5 in daily life?
Instead of waiting to be rescued, take one small step today to lift yourself — and speak to yourself as a friend would.
Reflected on verse 6.5?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.