To the extent that the lower in us withdraws itself from its identifications with the body and sense-organs, feelings and emotions to that extent it (the ego) is said to have come under the influence of the nobler in us.

To such an ego the Self is the friend. But where the ego rebels against the higher, to that unconquered self or uncontrolled ego the Diviner Self is as inimical as an external foe.

The higher Self becomes a friend to the lower if the latter allows itself to be influenced by the former. The Diviner becomes inimical to the lower limited ego when the latter resists nobler aspirations. We are therefore called upon to master the lower self by the higher. The point is that the lower self is not to be destroyed. It can be used as a helper, if it is held in check.

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Tasya, of him; yena, by whom; jitah, has been conquered, subdued; his eva atma, very self, the aggregate of body and organs; that atma, self; is bandhuh, the friend; atmanah, of his self. The idea is that he is a conqueror of his senses. Tu, but; anatmanah, for one who has not conquered his self, who has no self-control; atma eva, his self itself; varteta, acts; satruvat, like an enemy; satrutve, inimically, with the attitude of an enemy. As an enemy, who is different from oneself, does harm to oneself, similarly one’s self behaves like an enemy to oneself. This is the meaning. [If the body and organs are under control, they are helpful in concentrating one’s mind on the Self; but, if they are not under control, they oppose this concentration.]