For one who has conquered the lower self by the true self, the true self is a friend. For one who has not conquered the lower self, the true self behaves like an enemy.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 6.6
Hindi · हिन्दी
जिसने अपनेआपसे अपनेआपको जीत लिया है, उसके लिये आप ही अपना बन्धु है और जिसने अपनेआपको नहीं जीता है, ऐसे अनात्माका आत्मा ही शत्रुतामें शत्रुकी तरह बर्ताव करता है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
बन्धुःfriendआत्माthe true selfआत्मनःof the selfतस्यof that oneयेनby whomआत्माthe true selfएवindeedआत्मनाby the true selfजितःconqueredअनात्मनःof one not masteredतुbutशत्रुत्वेin hostilityवर्तेतactsआत्माthe true selfएवindeedशत्रुवत्like an enemy
Read literallyfriend · the true self · of the self · of that one · by whom · the true self · indeed · by the true self · conquered · of one not mastered · but · in hostility · acts · the true self · indeed · like an enemy
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the struggle from controlling the world to mastering the impulses that distort your own judgment.
When you master your restless impulses, your deepest nature supports you. If you do not, your own mind and habits work against you.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still frozen, and Krishna keeps turning the lesson inward. After saying the self can be friend or enemy, Krishna now sharpens it: victory over the lower self changes everything. The real battle is inside.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You sit alone after sending the message you were afraid to send. If you acted from clarity, something in you steadies. If you acted from fear, the same mind turns harsh and restless.
The takeaway
“Self-mastery feels like relief because the part of you that fought you starts helping.”
When you master your restless impulses, your deepest nature supports you. If you do not, your own mind and habits work against you.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.6?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Dhyana Yoga" (The Yoga of Meditation).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 6.6?
Verse 6 sits in Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita — Dhyana Yoga, "The Yoga of Meditation". The chapter has 47 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 6.6 matter today?
You sit alone after sending the message you were afraid to send. If you acted from clarity, something in you steadies. If you acted from fear, the same mind turns harsh and restless.
It shifts the struggle from controlling the world to mastering the impulses that distort your own judgment.
What this verse means
When you master your restless impulses, your deepest nature supports you. If you do not, your own mind and habits work against you.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still frozen, and Krishna keeps turning the lesson inward. After saying the self can be friend or enemy, Krishna now sharpens it: victory over the lower self changes everything. The real battle is inside.
Why this verse still matters
You sit alone after sending the message you were afraid to send. If you acted from clarity, something in you steadies. If you acted from fear, the same mind turns harsh and restless.
“Self-mastery feels like relief because the part of you that fought you starts helping.”
Explore related themes: manas (49 verses), self mastery (16 verses), dhyana yoga (13 verses)