Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 5

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Karma Yoga is Karma Sanyasa 1-9 

1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 5

 Lower Ahobilam - Prahalada Narasimhar

Udharet asmana atmanam na atmanam avasadayet I

Atma eva hi atmanah bandhuh atma eva ripu atmanah II sloka 5

उद्धरेत  आस्माना आत्मानं न आत्मानं अवसादयेत्  ।

आत्मा एव हि आत्मनः बन्धुः आत्मा एव रिपुः  आत्मनः ।। श्लोक ५

Let a man raise himself by his own self; let him not debase himself. For he is himself his friend and foe.

One is oneself responsible for one's distinction ore debasement. The contributions that others make in these respects are secondary. It is but usual that one complains that one's enemy has done havoc to one. But no one can hurt without oneself contributing to it. It is possible for a sadhaka to avail himself of a wrong done to him by his enemy for self purification. Because of misunderstanding and maladjustment man paves the way for self debasement. And by doing so, he becomes his own enemy. On the other hand, by right understanding and right conduct he elevates himself and thereby becomes his own friend.  One is one's own arch friend or arch foe. The person who understands this fact, learns and invaluable lesson for life. 

No one courts enmity; friendship alone is sought by all. That being the case, how shall ohe solution is offered in the next sloka