BG6.6. MTP

 A

Here is Bhagavad Gītā 6.6, from the Dhyāna Yoga (Chapter 6, “The Yoga of Meditation”):

Sanskrit (IAST)

बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः ।

अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत् ॥ ६.६ ॥

Transliteration:

bandhur ātmātmanas tasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥ

anātmanas tu śatrutve vartetātmaiva śatruvat

Meaning (general translation)

• Literal sense:
  “For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best friend. But for one who has failed to do so, the mind will remain the greatest enemy.”

Key idea

• Self-mastery: If a yogī controls the mind, the inner self becomes a supportive companion.
• Lack of control: If the mind is not restrained, it acts like an enemy, dragging the person into attachment, restlessness, and suffering.

✨ In short: Your mind can be your best friend — or your worst enemy. The difference depends on self-discipline and mastery through yoga.

Do you want me to also bring in traditional commentaries (like Śaṅkara’s Advaita vs. Rāmānuja’s Vishishtadvaita) to see how they nuance “mind as friend/enemy”?