Steady yourself by your Self

evaṃ buddheḥ paraṃ buddhvā saṃstabhyātmānamātmanājahi śatruṃ mahābāho kāmarūpaṃ durāsadam

Knowing what is beyond the intellect, steadying the self by the Self, mighty-armed one, defeat this hard-to-conquer enemy, desire.

What it means

Krishna closes the chapter with a call to action. Know the atman, the Self, as higher than everything else. Use that higher Self to steady your restless self. Then, he says, conquer the enemy called desire. It's hard, but possible, because you're working from your deepest strength.

The story

Chapter three began with Arjuna asking why he should act at all. It ends with Krishna showing him the real battle and the inner strength to win it. Arjuna is learning that the outer fight and the inner fight are one.

In your life

Imagine a recovering addict who says, I don't fight the craving with willpower, I come back to who I really am. That's this verse. When a craving comes, pause and remember who you are underneath it.