Mankind is the most exalted creation of the Lord. Within this corporal frame, HE has provided a unique and an unparallel hierarchy of virtues. At the highest pedestal is our innerself- ‘Antaratma’, subordinate to ‘antaratma’ is the intellect (to contemplate, to think in a logical way, to analyse, to discriminate); subordinate to the intellect is the mind (realm of emotions, impulses, swings between intellect and senses); subordinate to the mind are the senses (anger, passion, greed, emotional attachment and ego) ; and subordinate to the senses is the body (and its limbs to physically perform the actions). If this hierarchy of virtues is ensured to function in a disciplined manner, exercising restraint and compassion, then we may aspire to embellish this life and achieve fulfillment; otherwise, we tend to invite sorrow, regret, remorse and loss of peace.
Bestowed with intellect, we deliberate, plan and make all possible endeavours to organize facilities and aspire to lead a comfortable life with countless number of amenities. To decorate our corporal frame, we go in for the best of attires with latest designs and to keep those safe we arrange vermin-proof and sturdy ward-robes. To enhance their charm and grace, women-folk love to buy glittering gold ornaments and diamond-studded jewellery, and to ensure their safety, bank lockers are hired. To satisfy our ego, we make an extravagant exhibition of our riches to project our material achievements and enjoy a sense of pride in receiving recognition and praise from others. But the moment our self-centered ego is hurt or if somebody tries to act or behave contrary to our wishes and temperament, we are unable to tolerate, burst into anger and lose control over our senses. What an irony! When it comes to our priceless and permanent treasure – our peace of mind – we coolly throw the key of our very personal locker in the middle of the road and allow any Tom, Dick and Harry passing that way to pick it up and, on some trivial pretext or the other, take away our most precious treasure that cannot be purchased even by spending millions of rupees.
While on a shopping spree, we meticulously exercise our fullest choice, irrespective of the marketing skills the shopkeeper may try to demonstrate. But, interestingly, in our daily business of life, we do not sometimes give even a second thought to buy anger, and quite often lose our temper on minor issues or on slightest provocation? We need to deliberate and summon our first level of subordinate – intellect – to analyse and evaluate such situations. In business or profession, how many of us have ever practiced inviting our junior-most subordinate, allowed him to occupy our seat and take decisions on our behalf? Perhaps, never ever. But, interestingly, more often than not, we let the third level of our subordinate – anger – occupy the driving seat and allow it to take the chariot of our life in the direction of its choice.
There are three types of sins that lead us to downfall – lust, anger and greed. These are three gates to hell. Therefore, they must be given up. Even though we do not want anger, yet it comes and comes on suddenly like an earthquake. It troubles us a lot and carries out lot of destruction, causes enmity, loss of relationship and so on. It is a different story that we may be in a mood of repentance when the storm has blown over, but then it is too late. Ideally, when anger is approaching, take a glass of water and drink it sip by sip reciting Aum shanti, Aum shanti. It will vanish as suddenly as it came. Experience it and you will find the results amazing .
Our real swaroop is Sat-Chit-Ananda. There is no anger in us, and there is no anger in others also. If I ask you, are you angry right now while reading this Article? I am confident, your reply will be in the negative. Therefore, anger is not in you, it has sneaked in like an infiltrator This is the truth, isn’t it? Anger does not have a permanent abode in our corporal frame. If the owner so desires, he can dislodge this infiltrator whenever he wants to. If you accept this fact with a firm conviction, then, with practice, you can easily gain victory over it. Let us look at it from another angle. As we said above, anger is not an inherently inbuilt disease. It is the result of external factors. Somebody instigates us and we get angry. Somebody makes a mistake (commits a crime by instigating), but we give punishment to ourselves by getting angry (raising our blood pressure) and losing our peace of mind. Where is the wisdom in doing so! Maintain stability of mind in all situations.
We are able to utilize our mental faculties at the maximum possible level only with a well composed, and tranquil mind. All creative work, research, innovations, inventions and (as a result of that) human progress, are possible only when we concentrate, meditate and maintain placidity of mind. Therefore, let us learn to tame our senses and tell ourselves, “Anger? I am not a buyer”. Make an earnest effort to exercise restraint on your anger and thereafter you would pleasantly realize that you can easily tame the other four wild horses – passion, greed, emotional attachment and ego – and retain the driving seat of your chariot under your control and reach your destination conveniently and confidently.
Just as waters of different rivers enter into an ocean, though ocean is full on all sides remains undisturbed, likewise the human mind (which is an ocean of thoughts) should also remain calm and quite while confronting agreeable and disagreeable situations.