Anger is Danger


Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Mathajis, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, verse 4 while explaining about the nature of demoniac people Lord Krishna says



dambho darpo 'bhimaanash ca / krodhah paarushyam eva ca
ajnaanam caabhijaatasya / paartha sampadam aasurim



"Pride, arrogance, conceit,
anger, harshness and ignorance — these qualities belong to those of demoniac nature, O son of Prthaa"



In his wonderful purport to the above verse, Srila Prabhupada says -
"In this verse,
the royal road to hell is described. The demoniac want to make a show of religion and advancement in spiritual science, although they do not follow the principles. They are always arrogant or proud in possessing some type of education or so much wealth. They desire to be worshiped by others, and demand respectability, although they do not command respect. Over trifles they become very angry and speak harshly, not gently. They do not know what should be done and what should not be done. They do everything whimsically, according to their own desire, and they do not recognize any authority."



Krodhah - means
anger. When we are angry we become blind of the truth and tend to make blunders. In the second chapter verse 63 of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna very nicely explains what happens when we are affected by anger.



krodhaad bhavati sammohah / sammohaat smrti-vibhramah
smrti-bhramshaad buddhi-naasho / buddhi-naashaat pranashyati



"From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool."



Paarushyam - harsh speech is bound to follow when we are angry. In this context I came across an interesting story.


"Once a saint asked his disciples, 'Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset?'


Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout for that.'


'But, why to shout when the other person is just next to you?' asked the saint. 'Isn't it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you're angry?'


Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the saint.


Finally he explained,
'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.'


Then the saint asked,
What happens when two people love each other ? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small...'


The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'
When you argue do not let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return."



Anger endangers the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of ourselves as well as people around us. The only way to overcome anger is by getting rid of the controlling propensity and by whole-heartedly accepting the truth that Krishna is the supreme controller. We pray that we never fall a prey to anger, but have friendly relationship with all living entities and are able to see every one as part and parcel of Supreme Lord.


Thank you very much,
Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev,
Kalacakra Krsna das and Sudarshana devi dasi


Chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

and be happy.