Contents
Shri Sankara's Gita Bhashya
(Sri Sankaracharya's Commentary on the Gita)
CHAPTER -6
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5. A man should uplift himself by his own self; let him not sink himself. For, he alone is the friend of himself; he alone is the enemy of himself. A man, who is submerged in the ocean of sarhsāra, should uplift himself from out of it: that is to say, he should bring about the stale of "yogārūdha"; let him not sink himself bring himself down, ruin himself. For he alone is the friend of himself: indeed, there is no other friend who can release him from samsāra; even a friend, being a seat of bondage such as affection, is really un favourable as regards moksa. Hence the affirmation-"he ALONE is the friend of himself" - is appropriate. He alone is the enemy of himself: even an enemy, other than oneself, who inflicts harm and is outside, is made an enemy by himself (one's own self) alone; hence the emphasis, "he ALONE is the enemy of himself". It has been stated that, "He alone is the friend of himself;he alone is the enemy of himself". Here, the question arises: 'What sort of person is the friend of himself; and what sort ofperson is the enemy of himself?' The reply follows: |
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