4. Evils of Anger

In Bhagavadgita (Chapter 3) Arjuna asks Bhagavan: “O Krishna, impelled by what does a man commit sinful deeds as if driven by an inevitable force, however much he wishes against it?” The Lord replies that it is due to desire and anger that a man is compelled to commit sins, and warns Arjuna to treat these two as his deadly enemies. Again (in Chapter 16), the Lord compares anger as a gateway to hell and goes on to advise Arjuna to keep off this gate so that he could attain the highest goal (Moksha).

In the Sundara Kanda of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana, we find Sri Anjaneya describing the evils of anger: Anger is indeed very harmful. What sins will an angry man not commit? A man blinded by wrath will harm even his own Guru whom he otherwise holds in high esteem. One who is in the tight grips of rage loses the abilities of discrimination and speaks what should not be spoken and insults even those who deserve his respect. Fortunate are those who are able to keep anger at check through patience.

Therefore a man of wisdom should shield himself from the evil called anger with discrimination and tolerance. ❀❀❀❀