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Chapter 6
Secondly, man has degraded himself, as he has accepted his affinity for the world, the world has not accepted that affinity, which breaks off, every moment. If one does not accept any new affinity, he may realize God.
Natmanamavasadayet:—He, should not degrade himself. It means that he himself being uniform and sentient, should not enslave himself, by having dependence on the transient and insentient worldly objects, such as riches, ranks etc. By virtue of his riches and ranks, he assumes himself to he elevated. This elevation, is of his virtues rather than his own. This dependence amounts to his degradation. But, how shocking and surprising it is, that he regards this degradation as promotion, and dependence as independence!
Atmaiva hyatmano bandhuh:—A man, himself is his friend,when he accepts that there is no need for mundane things, such - as body, senses, mind, intellect etc., in God-realization. Secondly, he should have faith in his guide, in God, saints and scriptures. They will lead him to God-realization. By having this faith, he himself is his friend.
Atmaiva ripuratmanah:—He himself, is his enemy, when he accepts his affinity with the worldly body, senses and mind etc. In the second line of the verse, the term 'Eva' (only), has been used twice, to emphasize the fact, that he and only he himself, is his friend and foe; anyone else, neither is, nor can be his friend and foe. By accepting his affinity with the world, he is his enemy and by accepting no affinity in the least, with the world, he is his friend.
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