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Mahavira & Conquest of Passions / 53
1.
Anger
Intense anger which lasts forever like a deep crack on a rock, drags the soul to hellish existence. When anger and other passions get more and more inflamed, character begins to decline lower and lower. A person blinded by anger does not hesitate to kill his mother, sister and even his children. A person who is under the influence of anger turns pale and loses all charm. He becomes restless and even under favourable circumstances he feels uneasy. Anger results in the defeat of the person (who is angry) and ultimately results in his destruction. Just as a spark of fire destroys the year long accumulated stock of grains so also the fire of anger destroys all the divine qualities of a monk. Anger spoils good relations. A person blinded by anger destroys truth, noble conduct and humility. By conquering anger, the soul attains forgiveness. Anger drags the soul to lower existence.