I am struggling with anger
Anger often arrives fast and leaves a mess behind it. These verses show where anger begins and how to catch it early, before it takes away your good sense.
Read them slowly. Pick the one that touches you most and try its practice today.
Krishna said ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंसः सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते।सङ्गात् संजायते कामः कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते ॥2.62॥
dhyāyato viṣayānpuṃsaḥ saṅgasteṣūpajāyatesaṅgāt saṃjāyate kāmaḥ kāmātkrodho'bhijāyate
Krishna explains: when a person keeps thinking about sense objects, attachment to them grows. From attachment comes craving, and from craving comes anger.
Try this todayWhen you catch yourself replaying something you want today, a gadget or someone's approval, gently switch your attention to the task in front of you.
Krishna said क्रोधाद्भवति संमोहः संमोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रमः।स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति ॥2.63॥
krodhādbhavati saṃmohaḥ saṃmohātsmṛtivibhramaḥsmṛtibhraṃśād buddhināśo buddhināśātpraṇaśyati
Krishna continues: from anger comes delusion; from delusion, loss of memory; from loss of memory, the ruin of judgement; and when judgement is ruined, a person is lost.
Try this todayIf you feel angry today, do not send that message or make that decision for at least an hour. Let your judgement return first.
Krishna said काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः।महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ॥3.37॥
kāma eṣa krodha eṣa rajoguṇasamudbhavaḥmahāśano mahāpāpmā viddhyenamiha vairiṇam
Krishna answers: "It is desire, and it is anger, born of rajas (the quality of restless passion). It is never satisfied and leads to great wrong. Know it as the enemy here."
Try this todayWhen anger rises today, ask yourself: "What did I want that I am not getting?" Name the desire before you respond.
Krishna said शक्नोतीहैव यः सोढुं प्राक्शरीरविमोक्षणात्।कामक्रोधोद्भवं वेगं स युक्तः स सुखी नरः ॥5.23॥
śaknotīhaiva yaḥ soḍhuṃ prākśarīravimokṣaṇātkāmakrodhodbhavaṃ vegaṃ sa yuktaḥ sa sukhī naraḥ
Krishna says: whoever, here in this life before leaving the body, can withstand the rush that rises from desire and anger is a true yogi and a truly happy person.
Try this todayWhen anger or a strong urge rises today, place your hand on your chest, breathe slowly five times, and only then decide what to do.
Krishna said कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम्।अभितो ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं वर्तते विदितात्मनाम् ॥5.26॥
kāmakrodhaviyuktānāṃ yatīnāṃ yatacetasāmabhito brahmanirvāṇaṃ vartate viditātmanām
Krishna says: for disciplined seekers who are free from desire and anger, whose minds are controlled and who know the Self, brahma-nirvana (the peace of the Absolute) is close on every side.
Try this todayRecall one recurring situation that triggers your anger. Decide now on a calmer response, and use it if that situation comes up today.
Krishna said अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम्।दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् ॥16.2॥
ahiṃsā satyamakrodhastyāgaḥ śāntirapaiśunamdayā bhūteṣvaloluptvaṃ mārdavaṃ hrīracāpalam
He continues: not harming others, truthfulness, freedom from anger, letting go, inner calm, not speaking ill of others behind their backs, kindness to all beings, freedom from greed, gentleness, a healthy sense of shame at wrongdoing, and steadiness of mind.
Try this todayWhen a conversation turns to gossip about someone absent today, say nothing negative, or gently steer the talk elsewhere.
Krishna said त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः।कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत् ॥16.21॥
trividhaṃ narakasyedaṃ dvāraṃ nāśanamātmanaḥkāmaḥ krodhastathā lobhastasmādetattrayaṃ tyajet
Krishna names three gates to hell that bring about one's own ruin: desire, anger and greed. Therefore, he says, one should give up all three.
Try this todayEach time you notice desire, anger or greed today, name it silently ('this is anger') and take three slow breaths before you act.
Also on your mind?
If you are in deep distress or having thoughts of harming yourself, please talk to someone you trust or call India's free Tele-MANAS helpline on 14416.