Bhagavad Gita BG 6.6
Chapter 6, Verse 6 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः । अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत् ॥
bandhur atmatmanas tasya yenatmaivAtmana jitah anatmanas tu shatruttve verteta atmaiva shatruvat
Meaning
For that one by whom the self has been conquered by the Self — the Self is the friend of the self. But for one who has not conquered the self, the Self functions as an enemy, as if an enemy.
Understanding
Verse 6 elaborates 5: for the one yena atmaiva atmana jitah (by whom the self has been conquered by the Self — the lower by the higher), the Self is bandhuh (friend). For the anatman (the one who has not mastered the self — literally 'not-self-controller'), the Self itself becomes the enemy, varteta shatruvat — functions like an enemy. Note: not a different entity becoming your enemy, but the same Self, in the context of your inner disorder, working against your peace.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| जितः | jitah | conquered, mastered, disciplined |
| अनात्मनः | anatmanah | of one who has not mastered the self |
| शत्रुत्वे | shatruttve | in enmity, in the state of being an enemy |
| वर्तेत | verteta | functions, operates, acts |
| शत्रुवत् | shatruvat | like an enemy, as if an enemy |
| बन्धुः | bandhuḥ | a friend / a helper |
| आत्मा | ātmā | the self / the mind |
| आत्मनः | ātmanaḥ | of/for the self (possessive) |
| तस्य | tasya | his / for that person |
| येन | yena | by whom / by which (the self has been conquered) |
| आत्मैव | ātmaiva | the self itself (acts as friend or foe) |
| आत्मना | ātmanā | by the self / through the mind |
| तु | tu | but / however (for the unconquered) |