Living by the Scriptures – Perils of krōdha and greatness of kṣamā

To understand the dangers of krōdha and the importance of kṣamā, one needs to revisit the conversation between Draupadi and Dharmaraja Yudhishtira that runs thus,

 

“It is anger that kills man. A man progresses when he is able to overcome anger. Anger is the cause for man’s advancement and declination. The one who suppresses anger will advance while the one who is unable to bear the force of anger will see that anger becoming a destructive force.

 

Anger is the reason for the destruction of man in this universe. An angry man commits sin, a man overcome with anger will even kill his revered Guru and use harsh words to humiliate exalted persons.

 

An angry man is not capable of understanding what to do and what not. An angry man will even kill an unharmed or innocent person and even worship a sinner.

 

An angry person can even give up his own life only to suffer the consequences in the afterlife. Hence, persons desirous of attaining the Supreme Goal who have seen the flaws of anger overcome anger. 

 

Resolute persons renunciate anger. A man who does not get angry when confronted by an angry person will be saving himself and others from great danger. He will become a healer/therapist and help set aside his flaws and those of others as well.

 

If a foolish incompetent person has his drawbacks pointed by others, then he will become angry and bring destruction upon himself and others. One who gives up his life in anger as he is not in control of his senses and mind will find this world and the heavenly worlds destroyed.

 

Therefore, it is considered sensible to keep one’s anger in check. A wise person who does not get angry when others point out his flaws will not cause harm to those who spoke out and will bring happiness in the heavenly worlds. Strong, weak and wise persons should take refuge in forgiveness particularly in distressing situations.

 

Pious persons praise one’s effort to overcome anger. It is the opinion of sages that a forgiving person only has success.

 

Truth is greater than falsehood, mercy is greater than cruelty. Visionary persons are called tējasvī. An angry person is incapable of understanding any matter properly. He doesn’t even know what is respect and etiquette.

 

Therefore, a man who wishes to be peaceful should keep anger far away. Efficiency, rightful indignation, valour and agility are the qualities for tej. A man who is controlled by anger will not be able to attain these qualities easily.

 

Foolish persons think that tej is anger. If like earth, there is no forgiving person among men, then there will never be reconciliation as anger is the root cause for conflict.

 

In this manner, the entire universe will be the target of anger and there will never be any peace. It is to be known that peace is the conciliatory way for the whole kingdom. Please note that anger will destroy all the citizens of a kingdom and is the cause for declination.

 

As there are forgiving persons like earth in this world, beings are created and sustained. It is imperative for man to maintain a forgiving stance in all trials and tribulations. All the created beings in this universe survive because of forgiving persons.

 

A man who forgives a powerful person who curses and kills when he gets angry and always keeps his anger in check is a wise man and an exalted person.

 

That man is influential. He attains the eternal world. An angry man is foolish. He will experience destruction in this world and in the afterlife.

 

That is why people take direction from forgiving persons and sing praises of them. The venerable Kāsyapa Mahārshi has sung this ballad, “Kṣamā is dharma, kṣamā is yagna, kṣamā is Veda and kṣamā is shāstra. The one who knows this becomes eligible to forgive everything.

 

Kṣamā is Brahma, kṣamā is satya, kṣamā is the bhoot (past), kṣamā is bhavishya (future), kṣamā is tapaha and kṣamā is shaucha. Kṣamā is the foundation for this entire universe.

 

A forgiving person will attain a world that is higher than a person who performs yagnas regularly, a person who abides in the Brahman and a tapasvī.

 

Those who perform the rites and rituals pertaining to yagnas will attain one world and those who give dāna will attain another world. But forgiving persons will attain the revered Brahmaloka.

 

Kṣamā is the tej for tejasvīs, kṣamā is Brahma for tapasvīs and kṣamā is satya for truthful persons. Kṣamā is yagna and kṣamā is shama.

 

When kṣamā has been extolled like this and in whom Brahma, satya, yagna and loka are consecrated, how can one who seeks the Supreme Goal forsake it?

 

A wise person should always seek refuge in kṣamā. When one is able to bear everything, he attains sameness.

 

This world is for forgiving persons as is the heavenly worlds. A forgiving person will attain respect in this world and the Supreme Goal in the afterlife.

 

A man who keeps his anger in check through kṣamā will attain the exalted world. Therefore, kṣamā is deemed to be the most excellent.

 

The pious Kāsyapa Mahārshi has sung the greatness of forgiving persons in this manner.”

 

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Kṣamā and dayā is the right conduct of virtuous men and is the Sanātana dharma.