Sri:
The toughest to practice is to control anger!!
(Extract written based on Sri APN Swami’s Sankalpa Suryodayam Upansayam Episode 111 on 9-Nov-2023 – Slokam 4.25)
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Today’s(9-Nov-2023) Sankalpa Suryodayam is one another fascinating session, full of values for life. It is really our fortune to have listened to this mind blowing much needed session in this era of Anger.
Swami Desikan explains in the 4th Act of Sankalpa Suryodayam that Jeevathma like us can conquer desire (Kamam) but controlling anger (krodham) is exceptionally challenging.
Even a small act of shame or ill-treatment can provoke a sensible matured person resulting in showcasing anger. We can find lots of examples in our daily life. If someone points out a mistake, even a Mr. Cool cannot tolerate it. The challenge lies in how we portray ourselves when confronted with a derogatory comment/statement/shameful situationthat doesn’t pertain to us. Even when it’s not our fault our reaction to it is what matters.A mature person can control his kamam and overcome it. It is very sensitive even for a sensible person to control Anger.
Let us see why it is so difficult to control anger as explained in Act 4 of Sankalpa Suryodayam by Swami Vedanta Desikan. मुधारम्भे डम्भे मयि च मदने मुक्तकदने मितोत्साहे मोहे वृजिनगहने व्याप्तदहने ।
अवज्ञालेशाद्यैरपि खलु भवानिन्धनशतैः प्रदीप्तः प्रत्यञ्चं प्रणिधिमुपरोद्धं प्रभवति ॥ २५ ॥ 4.25
Someone who has control over all their senses cannot tolerate shameful actions from their opponent. When someone points out a mistake or irritates without reason, the flame of anger burns strongly. In such moments, it’s crucial not to lose our temper. If we’re self-aware, we should strive to maintain control, though it’s quite challenging. Anger tends to arise quickly, so it’s important to protect ourselves from this attitude of getting angry.
At this juncture, Sri APN Swami explained a discussion between Mahavishnu and a Srivaishnava Devotee.
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Mahavishnu converses with a Bhakthan who was angry due to an act of another Srivaishnava.
Mahavishnu: Hey Bhakt! Try not to get angry when another devotee of mine troubles you.
Srivaishnava Bhakthan: Oh! That’s quite easy for you to say. You never understand our situation and the trouble that Bhakthan caused to me.
Mahavishnu: Still, you can try to control it for my sake.
Srivaishnava Bhakthan: If you were in my situation, you would know how hard it is not to get angry, especially when you are not at fault.
Mahavishnu: I am not saying something I have not practiced. I preach what I have practiced.
Srivaishnava Bhakthan: What are you saying?
Mahavishnu: Yes, you have missed a key event.
Srivaishnava Bhakthan: Which one?
Mahavishnu: Do you remember the Brighu Maharishi episode? Once, Brighu Muni, in a moment of arrogance, forcefully kicked me on my chest. Despite the physical assault, I remained calm and composed, acknowledging Brighu’s action without a trace of anger. I showcased patience and anger control.
Srivaishnava Bhakthan: Why did you do so? He hit you in your chest, especially in the place where your beloved Mahalakshmi resides, and you were not at fault too.
Mahavishnu: He is my Bhakthan, so I didn’t get angry.
Srivaishnava Bhakthan: !!!
Mahavishnu: You, my Bhakthan, I want you to get inspired by me and imbibe this character in you.
Srivaishnava Bhakthan: (big silence)
Mahavishnu: My Bhakthan scolded me, and I happily took it. You are my Bhakthan; why are you not taking it when another Bhakthan of mine scolds you?
Srivaishnava Bhakthan: (heads totally down)
Mahavishnu: For my sake, why don’t you tolerate my Bhakthan’s harsh words and try not to get angry?
Srivaishnava Bhakthan: (didn’t know what to reply)
Mahavishnu: I showcased this behavior, and I am expecting this from you, because you are my Bhakthan.
Swami Desikan quotes this in 18th chapter of Srimath Rahasya Traya Saaram, Aparadhaparihaaraadhikaaram, as in the verse ‘‘घ्नन्तं शपन्तं परुषं वदन्तं यो ब्राह्मणं न प्रणमेद्यथाहं । स पापकृद्ब्रह्मदवाग्निदग्धो वद्ध्यश्च दण्ड्यश्च न चास्मदीयः’’ This incident exemplifies the Bhagawan’s unparalleled patience and anger control.
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Thus, as devotees of Mahavishnu, we should try to imbibe this quality from Perumal.
Sri APN Swami mentioned that Paramathma wouldn’t be pleased with a Srivaishnava who gets angry, even when He wasn’t at fault.
Sri APN Swami quoted Swami Desikan’s Daya Shatakam (35), in which Swami Desikan praises Lord Srinivasan for not displaying anger and for undergoing insults, unwarranted derogation, and shame in many of His incarnations, as mentioned in the verse ‘अवमतिमनुकम्पे मन्द चित्तेषु विन्दन्।’
The Ithihyam of Kurathazhwan’s disciple Pillai Pillai Azhwan added more relevance to understanding the difficulty of controlling anger. Kurathazhwan had a disciple named Pillai Pillai Azhwan who used to get angry at everything. Once, during a grahana punya kalam, on the banks of Ksheeraadhi Pushkarani at Thirukoshtiyur, Kurathazhwan asked for anger as a dhanam from Pillai Pillai Azhwan. Consequently, Pillai Pillai Azhwan also pledged that he would not get angry by making that dhanam. “Pillai Pillai Azhwan was successfully controlling his anger, surprising everyone. However, one day, he didn’t attend the kalakshepam. Concerned, Kurathazhwan visited his home after few days to inquire about the reason for his long absence with no reason. With teary eyes, Pillai Pillai Azhwan explained that he couldn’t control his anger and had scolded a Srivaishnava, causing distress. He had been upset since then for skipping the promise made to Acharyan and decided to skip the kalakshepam. Acknowledging his Shishya’s realization, Kurathazhwan was pleased and encouraged Pillai Pillai Azhwan to resume the kalakshepam.
Sri APN Swami stated that “Skipping kalakshepam because of anger is actually a loss for the Shishya.”
Finally, Sri APN Swami connected PIllai Pillai Azhwan’s Ithihyam to Thiruppavai’s “தீக்குறளை சென்று ஓதோம்” emphasizing the importance of controlling anger.
Sri APN Swami thus gave an analytical viewpoint and totally a different dimension to anger and the need to control the same as showcased by Paramathma himself. Thus, this session created an awareness that Krodham is more dangerous and challenging to control than Kamam.
Though it’s tough to practice, it’s an amazing self-realization to control Anger.
adiyen,
Sriranjani Jagannathan
SARAN Sevak & Shishyai of Sri APN Swami
9-11-2023
Sri APN Swami 