Knowing in this way what lies beyond the intellect, and steadying the self by the Self, O mighty-armed one, slay the enemy that takes the form of desire and is so hard to overcome.
Explanation
Krishna closes this chapter's teaching with its practical conclusion for Arjuna. Having ranked the senses, mind and intellect, he says the Self (ātman) lies beyond them all, and knowing this, Arjuna should slay desire (kāma), the enemy that is so hard to overcome. 'Steady the self by the Self' (ātmānam ātmanā) is read differently: most commentators take it as steadying the mind with the discerning intellect, others as steadying the lower self through the higher Self.