Akrodha

(Sanskrit: ) literally means "free from anger". It's an important virtue in Indian philosophy and Hindu ethics.

Etymology

is a fusion word between the Sanskrit prefix (Sanskrit: ; "without", "non") and the term (Sanskrit: ; "anger"), meaning "without anger".

A related word is (Sanskrit: ), which also means "absence of anger".

Discussion

is considered a virtue and desirable ethical value in Hinduism. When there is cause of anger but nevertheless there is absence of anger, this is non-anger or . Absence of anger () means being calm even when insulted or rebuked, or despite great provocation. does not mean absence of ''causes'' of anger, it means not getting angry and keeping an even, calm temper despite the circumstances.

("anger") is excessive mental turmoil on account of obstacles interfering with the gratification of some desire; it is manifestation of the quality of (dark, negative, destructive), an undesirable psychological state. The opposite of is : a productive, positive, and constructive state.

states that is necessary for peace and happiness, which is a state of contentment () where there is absence of spite or envy (), absence of anger (), and absence of violence (). relies on , because it creates an environment of serenity, a rational principle of life, and because it is a moral virtue inspired by love.

Literature

According to Vedic sages, when work becomes akin to a (a worship ceremony), the effect of that work is transformed into , that is, it becomes something unique, unprecedented, and empowering. In contrast, anger clouds reason, which results in the loss of discrimination between right and wrong and virtue and vice. When the discriminating faculty is ruined, the person loses self-identity and the inner good perishes. With freedom from anger, a person reaches an state.

The Upanishads

The '' Naradaparivrajaka Upanishad'' states the nature of for a person who seeks self-knowledge and liberation () as follows:

, states , is related to the concept (Sanskrit: ) in the Upanishads. means, depending on the context, "to bear", "endure", "suffer", and "put up with". is considered an ethical value in Hinduism, not out of , but for the cause of the Ultimate Truth. It is the attribute by which a person willingly bears what is unpleasant in order to "win over" the opponent or whatever is offensive, in the pursuit of holding on to Truth, in order to achieve oneness with , the Ultimate Truth. This endurance, this striving to overcome the adversaries through and , is the constructive way to pursue Truth.

The Epics

The Hindu epic ''Mahabharata'' repeatedly emphasizes the virtue of . For example, in ''Adi Parva'', it states:

In ''Vana Parva'', the ''Mahabharata'' states:

In ''Shanti Parva'', the ''Mahabharata'' states:

The ''Bhagavad Gita'' (Slokas XVI.1–3), in the ''Mahabharata'', gives a list of twenty-six divine attributes beginning with ("fearlessness") and ("purity of mind"), ending with ("bearing enmity to none") and ("absence of arrogance"), and including :

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Dharmasastra

Manu listed among the ten primary virtues. The ''Apastambhadharmasutra'' (I.iii.22) rules that a student be not given to anger, and that a house-holder abstains from anger and from action or words that would provoke someone else to anger (II.xviii.2). The ''Baudhayanadharmasutra'' (I.xv.30) requires a house-holder never to be angry, and the ''Gautamdharmasutra'' (II.13) advises that he must not feel angry. The ''Vashisthadharmasutra'' (IV.4) avers that refraining from anger is a virtue like truthfulness or charity.

Manu mentions ten , is one of these (attribute, sign of a dharmic person). The other nine are: (patience), (forgiveness), (temperance), (non-stealing), (purity), (freedom from sensual craving), (reason), (knowledge), and (truth).

Shaivism

The Shaivite doctrine considers four for the '' Pashupata'' ascetic who smears on his body . These four are – non-injury, celibacy, truthfulness, and non-stealing; the consist of non-irritability (), attendance on the teachers, purity, lightness of diet, and carefulness (). is a virtue.

Universalism

Hinduism and Buddhism both suggest ten freedoms needed for good life. These are – ''Ahimsa'' ('freedom from violence'), '' Asteya'' ('freedom from want, stealing'), '' Aparigraha'' ('freedom from exploitation'), ''Amritava'' ('freedom from early death') and ''Arogya'' ('freedom from disease'), ''Akrodha'' ('freedom of anger'), '' Jnana'' or ''Vidya'' ("freedom from ignorance"), ''Pravrtti'' ("freedom of conscience"), ''Abhaya'' ('freedom from fear') and '' Dhrti'' ('freedom from frustration and despair').

See also

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References

{{Virtues

Upanishadic concepts
Vedas
Hindu philosophical concepts
Buddhist philosophical concepts
Buddhist ethics
Hindu ethics
Yoga concepts