Freedom from anger is indicative of many good qualities
Anger may be justified for reasons such as being insulted or denial of opportunities or even for causes such as perceived injustices. There could be plenty of reasons to get angry spontaneously, but it’s unwise not to check them. Animals also get angry when provoked and they are unable to restrain themselves, but human beings have been provided with the ability to control anger.
Lord Krishna says in Gita (2.62), “When a person meditates on sense objects, attachment develops towards them. From attachment, lust manifests, and from lust anger results due to non-fulfillment.” In another verse, He sheds more light on the subject, saying “It is lust only; it is anger only, born of the mode of passion.” Then the Lord continues, “Lust is the one that devours, and is a great sinner. Know this to be the enemy in this world (3.37).”
There are other reasons also for controlling anger. Lord Krishna explains, “From anger, foolishness (closed mind) results; from foolishness, bewilderment (inability to take right decisions based upon experience) results; from bewilderment, loss of intelligence occurs. And by the loss of intelligence, a person is doomed (2.63).” In the verse quoted here, Lord Krishna counsels why it is critical to give up anger, explaining “Lust, anger and greed are the three doors to hell, which cause ruination of the soul. Therefore, one should give up these three (16.21).” Durvasa Muni was prone to anger. He wasted the fruits of his taspasya, which he earned. Many other saintly persons have also squandered their well-earned ‘punya’ by losing control over themselves by getting angry. What do we see in road rage? Two parties, completely strangers to one another, lose control over themselves due to an accident and end up physically harming one another seriously. What happens in families, who don’t put checks on their angry outbursts? They ruin their relationships with ramifications for years. Relationships between individuals, communities, countries, etc., are destroyed, because anger overwhelmed them.
There are enormous benefits to checking anger. Lord Krishna informs, “One, who is capable of tolerating the urge caused by lust and anger in this world, prior to leaving the body, he is a true yogi; he is a happy person (5.23).” In another verse, the Lord adds “for saintly persons, who are free from lust and anger, are self-controlled; and are self-realized, there is all-round blissful liberation (5.26)”. He emphasized this point further in another verse when He said, “He, who, having controlled the senses, the mind and the intelligence, that liberation-minded sage, having been freed from material desires, fear and anger, is really liberated at all times (5.28).”
Freedom from anger is indicative of many good qualities. Lord Krishna illuminates, “One who is not agitated by miseries; is free from desires for sense enjoyment in good times; is free from attachment, fear and anger; that sage is considered to be of steady intelligence (2.56).” Further, free of attachment, fear and anger, fully absorbed in Me, and having taken My shelter, many knowledgeable and austere persons have become purified, and have achieved My consciousness (4.10), Lord Krishna expounds.
Therefore, as stated very forcefully by Lord Krishna, one should try to control one’s anger, otherwise irreparable losses will come one’s way. On the other hand, one who can control his or her anger will derive unbelievable benefits. One will be a better judge of situations; anger makes a person poor judge of them. One will suffer less stress; almost everyone’s life is full of stress. There will be fewer conflicts and disputes with people around us; there will be better communication with them; one will develop closer and healthier relationships.
(Bishnoi is a spiritual writer. The views expressed are personal.)
