Golden Steps To Salvation

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

Page 61

5. THE NEED TO DISCARD ANGER
OH! PEACE-LOVING PEOPLE!
Peacefulness is the natural attribute of the soul; not anger. Just as water is cool by nature the soul also is peaceful by nature. On account of the effect of heat water becomes hot but again gradually it becomes cool. In the same manner, on account of some external provocation, the soul becomes angry but gradually it becomes peaceful again. Anger is not natural to the soul, Anger is a perversity. Perversity is transitory while nature is lasting.
Anger destroys politeness and wisdom and paralyses the power of the mind. It paralyses the power of reason. It blocks the mind and prevents all innate virtues from manifesting themselves.
The meaning of anger is desiring to take revenge against those who offend us. On account of anger the angry man's blood boils and he loses his physical as well as mental health. Scientists say that we lose as much energy by being angry for fifteen minutes as we might acquire from nine and a half hours' physical exercise.
Anger is more dreadful than thorns. Because a thorn causes pain to the man who is pierced by it; not to the man who pierces him with the thorn. But anger causes pain to both; to the man who is angry and to the man with whom he is angry.
An angry man is deaf like an ocean because he does not listen to the advice of others; nor does he listen to the suggestions of others. Advice only serves to intensify anger.
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