Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga · ०५
Lift yourself by yourself
Reflect on this shlok
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्। आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥
Transliteration
uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ
Sit with this verse
Verse 5 of Dhyana Yoga rests on “uddharet — elevate”. One should uplift oneself by oneself, and never degrade oneself. The closing term “ātmānam — the self” is a handle for reflection.
Meaning
One should uplift oneself by oneself, and never degrade oneself.
Commentary: Swami AdidevanandaAnother reading
One should save oneself by oneself; one should not degrade oneself. For oneself is indeed one's own friend; oneself is indeed one's own enemy.
Commentary: Swami GambiranandaWord meanings
uddharet — elevate
ātmanā — through the mind
ātmānam — the self
na — not
ātmānam — the self
avasādayet — degrade
ātmā — the mind
eva — certainly
hi — indeed
ātmanaḥ — of the self
bandhuḥ — friend
ātmā — the mind
eva — certainly
ripuḥ — enemy
ātmanaḥ — of the self
Essence
Our thoughts and habits can become either our greatest support or our greatest obstacle.
A life example
A little daily meditation and reflection helps the mind become a trusted friend.
Its place in sequence
This verse follows “यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते। सर्वसङ्कल्पसंन्यासी योगारूढस्तदोच्यते।।6.4।।” and precedes “बन्धुरात्माऽऽत्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः। अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्।।6.6।।”. Reading the three together restores the rhythm of the dialogue.
Read the full chapter ↗