bhagavad-gitagitakrishnaself-mastery

Bhagavad Gita 6.6 — Bandhur Atmatmanas Tasya

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.६ — बन्धुरात्माऽऽत्मनस्तस्य in English · English

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

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 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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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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bandhuḥ🔊friend

ātmā🔊the mind / the self

ātmanaḥ🔊for the person, of the self

tasya🔊of him

yena🔊by whom

ātmā🔊the mind / lower self

eva🔊certainly

ātmanā🔊by the self

jitaḥ🔊conquered, subdued

anātmanaḥ🔊of one with an unconquered mind / self

tu🔊but

śhatrutve🔊in enmity, as an enemy

varteta🔊remains, behaves

śhatru-vat🔊like an enemy (external foe)

Benefits of Chanting श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.६ — बन्धुरात्माऽऽत्मनस्तस्य

✦

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 श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.६ — बन्धुरात्माऽऽत्मनस्तस्य

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

This page shows the complete श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.६ — बन्धुरात्माऽऽत्मनस्तस्य written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

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.