Chapter VI · Śloka 5
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् |
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ||
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ||
uddhared ātmanātmānaṃ nātmānam avasādayet |
ātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ ||
ātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ ||
Let a person lift himself by himself; let him not degrade himself. For the self alone is the friend of the self, and the self alone is the enemy of the self.
No external savior can do what only the inner work can accomplish. The mind, turned toward truth, becomes the boat that carries one across. Turned toward craving and fear, it becomes the anchor that holds one under. The choice of which mind to inhabit is made anew in every moment.