bhagavad-gitagitakrishnaself-mastery

Bhagavad Gita 6.6 — Bandhur Atmatmanas Tasya

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.६ — बन्धुरात्माऽऽत्मनस्तस्य

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Early morning before meditation, or whenever the mind feels restless or self-defeating·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 6

Also known as: bandhur atmatmanas tasya · bandhur atma atmanas tasya yenatmaivatmana jitah · anatmanas tu shatrutve vartetatmaiva shatruvat · bhagavad gita 6.6 · gita 6 6 · mind friend or enemy gita verse

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Coming right after Krishna declares that one must lift oneself by oneself, this verse explains why. The mind is a double-edged power: for the person who has mastered it through the higher Self, the mind becomes a loyal friend on the path; but for one who lets it run uncontrolled, that same mind turns into a relentless enemy, like a hostile outsider. Self-conquest, therefore, is the foundation of all yoga and inner peace.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 6 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the sixth chapter, Dhyana Yoga (the Yoga of Meditation), Krishna teaches Arjuna how to steady the mind. He first urges 'lift yourself by yourself,' since the self can be its own friend or enemy. This verse clarifies the secret: the mind becomes a true friend only when it has been conquered by the higher Self, and otherwise behaves like a hostile foe.

✦ As told in scripture

Great yogis and saints are remembered for turning a once-turbulent mind into their closest ally; mastering the mind as this verse teaches, they remained unshaken in joy and sorrow alike, proving that the conquered mind is the surest friend on the path.

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The Mantra

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बन्धुरात्माऽऽत्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः। अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्॥

bandhur ātmātmanas tasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥ anātmanas tu śhatrutve vartetātmaiva śhatru-vat

Meaning:For one who has conquered the mind by the Self, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, the very same mind remains the greatest enemy, like an external foe.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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बन्धुः🔊bandhuḥfriend

आत्मा🔊ātmāthe mind / the self

आत्मनः🔊ātmanaḥfor the person, of the self

तस्य🔊tasyaof him

येन🔊yenaby whom

आत्मा🔊ātmāthe mind / lower self

एव🔊evacertainly

आत्मना🔊ātmanāby the self

जितः🔊jitaḥconquered, subdued

अनात्मनः🔊anātmanaḥof one with an unconquered mind / self

तु🔊tubut

शत्रुत्वे🔊śhatrutvein enmity, as an enemy

वर्तेत🔊vartetaremains, behaves

शत्रुवत्🔊śhatru-vatlike an enemy (external foe)

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 6.6 — Bandhur Atmatmanas Tasya

✦

Inspires self-mastery — making the mind a friend rather than a foe

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Strengthens willpower and inner discipline on the spiritual path

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Warns against an uncontrolled mind that sabotages one's own welfare

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Supports meditation and yoga by establishing a controlled mind

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Encourages personal responsibility for one's elevation or downfall

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Brings lasting peace by aligning the mind with the higher Self

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 6.6 — Bandhur Atmatmanas Tasya

Repetitions11times

Best TimeEarly morning before meditation, or whenever the mind feels restless or self-defeating

Recite this verse at the start of meditation or whenever your own mind seems to work against you. Reflect on the choice it presents — the mind can be your greatest friend or your worst enemy, and the difference is self-conquest. Use it as a daily reminder to gently govern the mind through the steady, witnessing Self rather than being dragged by impulses and moods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Krishna teaches that the mind is a friend to the person who has conquered it through the higher Self, but an enemy to the one who has not. Whether the mind uplifts or destroys us depends entirely on whether we have mastered it.

It means using the higher Self — through discrimination, steadiness and meditation — to govern the lower mind with its desires, moods and impulses. When the Self rules, the mind cooperates as a friend; when the mind rules unchecked, it becomes a hostile force.

Verse 6.5 declares 'lift yourself by yourself; do not degrade yourself, for the self can be both friend and enemy.' Verse 6.6 explains the principle behind it: the deciding factor is whether the mind has been conquered by the Self.

Practice steady self-discipline — regular meditation, moderation, and watching the mind without being swept away. Over time the mind, once trained, supports your goals and peace instead of dragging you toward distraction and suffering.