Deivathin Kural Series - 63

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 63 of 11 Sept 2006.

1. These e-mails are translations of talks given by the erstwhile Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, over more than sixty years, published by Vanady Padippagam, T.Nagar, Chennai, India, in ten volumes, in the Tamil language. The english version is likely to be available very soon. These e-mails are simply an effort on the part of the sender, to share some of his bliss, as it is said, 'Yam perra peru peruga ivvaiyagam'. When he adds any personal observations he uses the phrase, 'KTSV adds'.
2. To-days chapter is from his lecture, titled, 'Kobam ', ie., 'Anger', in pages 331 to 333, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural. Unless specifically mentioned, he or man includes, she or woman.
3. Traditionally, Anger and Passion are referred to jointly. Passion is desire. Anger includes annoyance, hate, dislike and disapproval. Baghwan Sri Krishna says in Gita, that these two are mainly the reason for the sins of human beings. When we desire something, we try to attain it. If it cannot be attained by fair means, we try to gain it by 'hook or crook'. Thus desire becomes passion, uncaring for morality. This pushes us into sin. Similarly another enemy is anger. If the thing desired is difficult to obtain, we get annoyed with the hurdles, in our path. Thus unfulfilled desire becomes anger.
4. We throw a rubber ball. It comes back to us. The ball thrown is, 'Kamam', or desire. When it bounces back, it becomes, 'Krodam', or anger. Like a boomerang it comes back, with renewed vigour. Exactly similarly, though we may think that we are attacking someone else; it attacks the attacker the most. When we are annoyed, fuming with anger, our own blood pressure shoots up. Anger agitates the mind and body. Actually if somebody can take our photograph, when we are angered; we will be ashamed to see how horrible we present ourselves. When we are angry, we end up saying things, that we ourselves will regret later. In rage, we lose control over our body, mind and senses. Then some people make it a habit to cultivate this aberration of behaviour, like a smoldering volcano, for whatever reasons or absence of reason.
5. Normally if you feed people and animals when they are hungry, temporarily the hunger is satisfied, till the next time for feed. But fire burns more with every addition of input. Greater the feed, greater the fire, greater it's reach. It even burns things not meant to be touched. The things not burnt, become charred black. Thus fire is known 'Krishnavartama', the blackener. Desire is like that. The more you feed, greater its intensity. It blackens the mind and heart of the person affected. You can neither satisfy by feeding, as desire will grow more and more: nor by denying, as desire denied becomes passion. When one desire is fulfilled, there is a temporary sense of achievement and happiness. Soon it gives way to desire of more of the same; or something else. In no time the happiness and satisfaction are replaced by, the opposite feelings. Peace of mind is gone, leading to anger and frustration.
6. The unfulfilled desire takes the two forms, of sadness and anger. If the person presumably the cause of our frustration, is lower ranking in the social order or age, we show anger. If they are senior or superior, then it becomes cause for sadness and despondency. The negative power of anger is much more than that of desire. This is very nicely depicted by 'Naishadam', which describes the life of Nala Maharajha. The King of 'Kali', comes forth. His two ministers are, 'Kaman' and 'Krodan', (ie., Desire and Anger). The announcer is singing their praise. What does he say about, Krodan? " There is no place where Kaman cannot enter. But there is one fort, where even He is not permitted. There, this Krodan is dwelling! Do you know as to which fort it is? It is the heart of Durvaasa Rishi." Thus he sings the praise of Anger. Durvaasa Rishi was famous as a person who had never succumbed to desires; but whose Anger was well known for being monumental and colossal.
7. We have to guard against this horrendous Anger. A little introspection will reveal that, we have no right to get annoyed with anybody, because, we are not so faultless either. Heart to heart, we know that we have possibly done worse blunders ourselves, in our life; or even if we have not done so, in a similer situation, we may have done no better. Anger is the greatest enemy. We must give no quarters for him, to come anywhere near.
Sambhomahadeva.