उद्धरेदात्मनाऽऽत्मानम्

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

उद्धरेत्

uddharet

let one elevate, raise up, deliver

आत्मना

ātmanā

by one's own self (by the disciplined mind)

आत्मानम्

ātmānam

oneself

न अवसादयेत्

na avasādayet

let one not degrade or lower (oneself)

आत्मा एव

ātmā eva

the self alone, indeed the self

हि

indeed, certainly

आत्मनः

ātmanaḥ

of oneself

बन्धुः

bandhuḥ

friend

आत्मा एव

ātmā eva

the self alone, indeed the self

रिपुः

ripuḥ

enemy

आत्मनः

ātmanaḥ

of oneself

Complete Translation

मनुष्य को अपने द्वारा अपना उद्धार करना चाहिये और अपना अध:पतन नहीं करना चाहिये; क्योंकि आत्मा (मनुष्य स्वयं) ही आत्मा का मित्र है और आत्मा ही आत्मा का शत्रु है।

Origin & History

Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 5

Author: Spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna; recorded by Sage Veda Vyasa in the Mahabharata (Bhishma Parva)

Period: Ancient (part of the Mahabharata, traditionally dated to the Dvapara Yuga)

In the sixth chapter, Dhyana Yoga, Krishna teaches the discipline of meditation and control of the mind. This verse is his clear declaration that, while grace and guidance have their place, the essential work of self-upliftment cannot be outsourced — each person must accomplish it through their own effort by mastering their own mind. The second line, that one is one's own friend and one's own enemy, is among Veda Vyasa's most quoted insights into human nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Uddhared Atmana Atmanam mean?▼

It means 'One should elevate oneself by one's own self, and not degrade oneself; for the self alone is the friend of the self, and the self alone is the enemy of the self.' It is Krishna's teaching on self-effort in Bhagavad Gita 6.5.

How can the self be both friend and enemy?▼

Krishna explains in the following verse (6.6) that the self is a friend to one who has conquered the mind, but an enemy to one who has not. A disciplined, controlled mind lifts a person toward liberation, while an unrestrained mind drags them down — so a person's own mind determines their rise or fall.

Why is this verse considered so empowering?▼

It places the responsibility for spiritual progress entirely on the individual. Rather than waiting for grace or blaming circumstances, the seeker is told that they have the power, through their own disciplined effort, to uplift themselves. It is a clear call to self-mastery.

Which chapter and yoga does this verse belong to?▼

It belongs to Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita, known as Dhyana Yoga or Atma Samyama Yoga — the Yoga of Meditation and Self-Control. The chapter teaches how to discipline the mind through meditation, and this verse sets its foundational principle of self-effort.

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