“Always keep the angry person away from oneself like the birds, which one blows away when they come near them. It is said so because by staying with a tempered person, nature is turned upside down and there is loss of religion.” ( Rigveda 1/25/4)
Desire, anger and greed are the enemies of a person, destroying the soul leading the person to the gates of hell. Anger is the most terrible of these three. It is the mother of all evils and quarrels. Just like the gunpowder it destroys oneself before destroying others. The fire of anger also burns who it originates from before burning others. It burns the person showing anger and makes him ugly before damaging another. The eyes turn red in anger, the face becomes fierce and gaunt. It burns the body, warms the heart, makes blood circulation irregular, increases distraction, hardens speech, and distances the person from religion.
If anger arises from the womb of the ego, it grows out of stupidity and ends only with remorse. It gives rise to negative thoughts and feelings in the mind, resulting in malice, hatred, disharmony, sorrow, pride etc. In anger, a person insults his/her parents, teachers, relatives etc. An angry man gives grieve to others or not; he keeps burning himself inside. Physical, mental and spiritual decadence results from this terrible emotion.
If anger is curbed with sound judgment, it works as a panacea, just as “Shankhiya” is also given when needed for treatment of diseases. A prudent display of sound judgment and firmness is essential to improve the situation of family members, colleagues and subordinates. In some situations, punishment is also needed. If when required, one’s parents, teachers or elders do not give the required punishmnet, they will not be able to perform their duties well. Rational and behavioral display of anger is actually a form of love. A lot of patience has to be exercised in its use. Anger should only be used as a powerful means to inspire others for self-improvement.
There are many ways to prevent anger. One can calm it by being silent. Chanting silently also reduces the emotion. If anyone is angry at someone’s mistake, then one should remember that he can also make such a mistake. Thus, thinking with conscience reduces the intensity of anger. Wrath can be conquered by repeated practice.
Patience and forgiveness are the best ways to prevent anger. Patience calms anger and forgiveness destroys it. We should treat everyone with love by sacrificing anger to gain fame in personal, family or social life. It has also been said that “anger is the origin of all sins”, anger is the mother of sins and bad luck. Therefore, avoid anger. When the ones who are oppressed or grieving come in your way, hug them and let the Ganges of love flow.
