Anger? I am not a buyer

Mankind is the most exalted creation of the Lord. Within this corporal frame, HE has provided a unique and an unparalleled hierarchy of virtues. At the highest pedestal is our innerself- ‘Antaratma’, (which is an inseparable part of ‘Paramatma’); subordinate to ‘antaratma’ is the intellect (to contemplate and to analyse); subordinate to the intellect is the mind (to think and to discriminate); subordinate to the mind are the senses (to perceive the signals); 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 (depending upon the resources available) to lead a comfortable life – may it be a palatial house with countless number of amenities, a fleet  of automobiles, so on and so forth. To decorate our corporal frame, we go in for an array of suits made out of the best of fabrics available and follow the latest designs. To keep such expensive attires, vermin-proof, wooden or steel, wardrobes are arranged.   To enhance their charm and grace,   womenfolk 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 this, burst into anger and lose control  over  our  senses.  What an irony! For our temporary material possessions, we plan meticulously and make earnest endeavours to acquire these, and to ensure their safety we take extraordinary precautions; but 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 so that any Tom, Dick and Harry passing that way may pick it up and, on some trivial pretext or the other, take away our most precious treasure that cannot be purchased even by spending lakhs of rupees.

     While on a shopping spree, we buy what we need and do not go in for whatever the shopkeeper tries to push through, howsoever hard-sell he may try.  We do not  hesitate to visit  any  number of marketing outlets and are often very particular  to  exercise  our choice  and buy what we exactly need or wish to have, irrespective of the marketing ploys the shopkeeper may adopt. But, interestingly how come, in our daily business of life, while dealing with people, we do not sometimes give even a second thought to buy anger, and quite often on minor issues or on slightest provocation? We need to deliberate and summon our first level of subordinate - intellect – to evaluate such situations.

Depending upon our capability or the opportunity made available to us, we occupy a particular position – high or low – in our business, profession or service career. A fairly high degree of discipline, professionalism, organizational ability, maintenance of harmonious inter-personnel relationship is expected in any result-oriented enterprise, and we generally adhere to these expectations. Can we ever imagine abdicating our responsibility and still having a hold on our position? How many of us have ever practiced inviting our juniormost 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.

(Superior to the body are said to be the senses – anger, passion, greed, emotional attachment and ego - but superior to the senses is the mind, superior to the mind is the intellect and what is superior to the intellect is conscious – ‘antaratma’. - Bhagvad Gita,  III/42.

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, if the human race has to progress and if we wish to attain a state of contentment and fulfillment and to nurse healthy human relationship and create congenial environment around us, then it is essential to control our senses and maintain peace of mind. Let us learn to tell ourselves, “Anger? I am not a buyer”.

Pujya Guruji used to say, make an earnest endeavour to exercise restraint on your anger and thereafter you would 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 with confidence.

Just as waters of different rivers enter into an ocean, though ocean is full on all sides and remains undisturbed, likewise the human mind (which is an ocean of thoughts) should also remain calm and quite while confronting agreeable and disagreeable situations.