Utilizing and Controlling Anger in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

Anger is a powerful force that can either degrade the soul or be utilized in the service of the Divine. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while uncontrolled anger is a gateway to ignorance and suffering, controlled anger is a symptom of spiritual advancement. This article explores the necessity of subduing this urge, its role in the qualification of a spiritual teacher, and the unique method of dovetailing anger in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

The Qualification of a Spiritual Master

Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently teaches that the primary qualification of a guru is not academic degree or social status, but the ability to control the six urges of the material body, prominently including the urge of anger. He states that only one who has mastered these forces is competent to accept disciples and guide them on the spiritual path.

• Anyone who has become competent to control the tongue, to control the mind, to control the anger, to control the belly and control the genital, if and kind of control is there, he is fit for becoming spiritual master; he can make disciples all over the world.
• Anyone who has practiced controlling these six (the tongue, the genitals, the belly, anger, the mind and words) is permitted to make disciples all over the world. To accept such a spiritual master is the crucial point for advancement in spiritual life.
• One has to practice sense control as well as mind control and subdue the six forces of speech, mind, anger, tongue, belly and genitals. Then one can become expert in understanding the devotional service of the Lord and thus become a perfect sannyasi.
• Mayavadi sannyasis who do not have these qualifications (of controlling tongue, mind, words, belly, genitals and anger and making disciples all over the world) sometimes harass and blaspheme a Vaisnava sannyasi who humbly engages in the service of the Lord.

The Obstacle to Liberation

According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, anger is a manifestation of the mode of passion and a direct enemy of self-realization. He warns that a person who wishes to get out of the material entanglement must not fall victim to this emotion, as it destroys one's gravity and makes one a source of dread to others.

• A person who desires liberation from this material world should not fall under the control of anger because when bewildered by anger one becomes a source of dread for all others.
• Just consider what I have said to you, which will act as medicinal treatment upon disease. Control your anger, for anger is the foremost enemy on the path of spiritual realization. I wish all good fortune for you. Please follow my instructions.
• One has to control this lust and anger. This controlling means you have to put yourself in the modes of goodness, not in the modes of passion.
• One is always a servant of lusty desires, anger, greed, illusion, envy and so forth, but if one obtains sufficient strength in spiritual advancement, one can control them.
• Attaining Krsna consciousness by controlling the above-mentioned passions (desire and anger), one remains factually in the transcendental stage, or brahman-nirvana.

Utilizing Anger in Service

While the rejection of anger is a general principle, Śrīla Prabhupāda offers the higher understanding that anger can be utilized in the service of the Lord. He cites the example of Arjuna, who fought with anger under Kṛṣṇa's direction, not for his own sense gratification, but to execute the will of the Supreme.

• Arjuna serves as another example. He was not willing to fight, but Krsna incited his anger: "You must fight!" To fight without anger is not possible. Anger is controlled, however, when utilized in the service of the Lord.
• If I am the master of anger, I can control my anger, and if I am the master of my desires, I can control my desires. In any case, I am a servant, and my service should be transferred to Krsna. That is the perfection of life.
• Everything depends on one's practical performance of duties in an effort to control the senses and conquer the influence of desire and anger.

The Divine Quality of Control

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, possesses all qualities, including anger, but He is always the controller of these qualities. He notes that even great demigods like Lord Brahmā must exercise intelligence to control their anger, showing that this discipline is required even on the highest planetary systems.

• In Krsna reside (1) truthfulness, (2) cleanliness, (3) intolerance of another's unhappiness, (4) the power to control anger, (5) self-satisfaction, (6) straightforwardness, (7) steadiness of mind, (8) control of the sense organs, (9) responsibility.
• Lord Brahma was very angry at his son’s impudence, and he showed signs which definitely proved this to be so. He was even prepared to condemn Bhrgu by cursing him, but because Bhrgu was his son, Lord Brahma controlled his anger with his great intelligence.
• Everyone may be accepted as an isvara, or controller, but still such controllers are controlled by others. For example, one may have undergone severe austerities but still be under the control of anger.

Conclusion

The control of anger is a pivotal step in the journey of self-realization. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that one cannot artificially repress this powerful emotion indefinitely; rather, one must purify the heart through devotional service. By transferring one's attachment from material sense gratification to the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, anger is transformed. Instead of being a source of bondage, it becomes a tool for protecting the principles of religion and serving the mission of the Lord, as demonstrated by the pure devotees.

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Controlling Anger. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience his teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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