Chapter Summary
In this chapter, Lord Krishna discusses the importance of controlling the mind and the process of meditation (Dhyana Yoga). He explains that the mind can be the best friend or the worst enemy. He describes the posture and state of mind required for meditation and assures Arjuna that a yogi who strives for perfection is never lost, even if he fails to attain full perfection in this life.
Verses
Verse 6.5
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् |
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ||
uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet |
ātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ ||
Translation: One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.
Verse 6.6
बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः |
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत् ||
bandhur ātmātmanas tasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥ |
anātmanas tu śatrutve vartetātmaiva śatru-vat ||
Translation: For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.
Verse 6.26
यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम् |
ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत् ||
yato yato niścarati manaś cañcalam asthiram |
tatas tato niyamyaitad ātmany eva vaśaṁ nayet ||
Translation: From wherever the mind wanders due to its flickering and unsteady nature, one must certainly withdraw it and bring it back under the control of the self.