Let one lift oneself by oneself; let one not degrade oneself. The self alone is the friend of the self, and the self alone is the enemy of the self.

One of the most quoted verses of the Gītā, affirming radical self-responsibility.

Uddhared ātmanā ātmānam — let one lift (uddharet) oneself (ātmānam) by oneself (ātmanā). No one else can do it for you.

Na ātmānam avasādayet — let one not sink, degrade, despise oneself. Don’t sabotage your own progress.

Ātmā eva hi ātmanaḥ bandhuḥ — the self is truly the friend of the self. Your best ally is within.

Ātmā eva ripuḥ ātmanaḥ — the self is also the enemy of the self. Your greatest obstacle is also within.

The same mental tendencies (vṛttis) can elevate or sink you depending on how you use them:

• Desire → can be destructive greed or elevating aspiration
• Energy → can be scattered or channeled
• Thought → can rationalize or illuminate

The message: stop looking for external culprits or saviors. The battle and the victory are internal.