Topic

Friend

3 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on friend. Explore teachings across 3 chapters.

All Verses

Chapter 6 • Verse 6 →The Yoga of Meditation

Bandhur atmatmanas tasya yenatmaivatmana jitah, anatmanas tu shatrutve vartetatmaiva shatru-vat

For those who have conquered the mind, it is their friend. For those who have failed to do so, the mind works like an enemy.

•The mind can be friend or foe
•Conquest of mind determines destiny
•Internal battle is most important

mind enemy conquest self-battle

Chapter 9 • Verse 18 →The Yoga of Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret

Gatir bharta prabhuh sakshi nivasah sharanam suhrit, prabhavah pralayah sthanam nidhanam bijam avyayam

I am the goal, sustainer, master, witness, abode, shelter, and friend. I am the creation and destruction, the basis of everything, the resting place, and the eternal seed.

•God is everything to the devotee
•Divine in all roles and relationships
•Complete dependence on the divine

divine roles sustainer shelter ultimate reality

Chapter 11 • Verse 41 →The Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form

Sakheti matvā prasabhaṁ yad uktaṁ he kṛiṣhṇa he yādava he sakheti, ajānatā mahimānaṁ tavaidaṁ mayā pramādāt praṇayena vāpi

Whatever I have rashly said to You, calling You Krishna, Yadava, or friend, not knowing Your greatness, whether out of negligence or affection—

•Intimacy with God is a great gift but carries responsibility
•Human familiarity can obscure divine greatness
•Asking forgiveness for casual speech to the divine

forgiveness familiarity rashness not knowing greatness