Akrodha

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

Etymology

''Akrodha'' is a fusion word between the Sanskrit prefix ''a'' (Sanskrit: अ; "without", "non") and the term ''krodha'' (Sanskrit: क्रोध; "anger"), meaning "without anger". A related word is ''Akrodhah'' (Sanskrit: अक्रोध), which also means "absence of anger".

Discussion

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

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

Bhawuk states that ''akrodha'' is necessary to any process of peace. Peace and happiness is a state of contentment (''santustah''), where there is absence of spite or envy (''advestah''), absence of anger (''akrodhah''), and absence of violence (''ahimsa''). ''Dharma'' relies on ''akrodha'', 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 ''yajna'' (a worship ceremony), the effect of that work is transformed into ''apurva'', 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 ''apurva'' state.

The Upanishads

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

''Akrodha'', states Manickam,L. Sam S. Manickam
Sahya: The Concept in Indian Philosophical Psychology and Its Contemporary Relevance
in Yoga and Indian Approaches to Psychology, (Editors: Joshi, Cornelissen et al.) Centre for the Study of Civilizations, pages 426–435, is related to the concept ''Sahya'' (Sanskrit: सह्य) in the Upanishads. ''Sahya'' means, depending on the context, "to bear", "endure", "suffer", and "put up with". The quality to ''Sahya'' is considered an ethical value in Hinduism, not out of weakness to react, but for the cause of the Ultimate Truth. It is the attribute by which a person willingly bears negative cognitive inputs 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 ''Brahman'', the Ultimate Truth. This endurance, this strive to overcome the adversaries, through ''akrodha'' and ''ahimsa'', is recommended as the constructive way in one's pursuit of "Truth".

The Epics

The Hindu epic ''Mahabharata'' repeatedly emphasizes the virtue of ''akrodha''. 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 ''abhayam'' ("fearlessness") and ''sattva sansuddhih'' ("purity of mind"), ending with ''adroha'' ("bearing enmity to none") and ''naatimaanita'' ("absence of arrogance"):

:अभयं सत्त्वसंशुध्दिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः,
:दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् , ,

:अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम् ,
:दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलाम् , ,

:तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहो नातिमानिता ,
:भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत , ,

''Akrodha'' is one of the twenty six divine attributes a person can have, states the ''Bhagavad Gita''.

Dharmasastra

Manu has listed ''akrodha'' ("absence of anger") among the ten primary virtues. The ''Apastambhadharmasutra'' (I.iii.22) rules that a student be not given to anger, and that a house-holder is required to abstain from anger and abstain 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, charity among others.

Manu mentions ten ''Dharma Lakshanas'', ''akrodha'' is one of these ''lakshana'' (attribute, sign of a dharmic person). The other nine are: ''Dhriti'' (patience), ''Kshama'' (forgiveness), ''Damah'' (temperance), ''Asteya'' (non-stealing), ''Shaucham'' (purity), ''Indriyaigraha'' (freedom from sensual craving), ''Dhi'' (reason), ''Vidya'' (knowledge), and ''Satyam'' (truth).

Shaivism

The Shaivite doctrine considers four ''yamas'' for the ''Pashupata'' ascetic who smears on his body ''bhasam''; the four ''yamas'' are – non-injury, celibacy, truthfulness and non-stealing; the ''niyamas'' consist of non-irritability (''akrodha''), attendance on the teachers, purity, lightness of diet and carefulness ('' apramada''). ''Akrodha'' 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

*Ahiṃsā
* Satya
* Asteya
*Brahmacharya
* Kṣamā
* Dhṛti
* Dayā
*Mitahara
*Ārjava
*Shaucha
*Dāna

References

{{Indian Philosophy, state=collapsed

Upanishads
Vedas
Hindu philosophical concepts
Buddhist philosophical concepts
Buddhist ethics
Hindu ethics
Yoga concepts